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Protecting and serving Officer David Henley receives Peace Officer of the Year Award
By Rusty Murry
Nevada Daily Mail
Nevada Police Officer David Henley has once again been recognized for his outstanding service to the community. Henley was presented with the "Peace Officer of the Year" Award from the Missouri Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment during a spring conference held at the Lake of the Ozarks in May.
Henley was nominated for the award by Nevada Housing Authority Director Carol Branham after she received letters of nomination from some boys who live near Henley at Fairgrounds Estates and look up to Henley as a role model. Branham also included a letter of recommendation from Nevada Police Chief Graham Burnley.
In his letter, Jimi Parker, 10, says he feels much safer because he has a cop that lives close to him and that "David is a man you would look up to: he has great confidence." Parker also said, "When David saved that little girl out of a fire he was committed a (hero). I say these words loud and clear so the truth tells David's heart from mine, I think David is a (hero), keep it up." Jimi was referring to a July 23, 2011, incident in which Nevada police Sgt. Richard Burdick and Henley arrived at an apartment fire in the 1100 block of North Elm Street and found the hallways of the multistory apartment building filled with smoke. Immediately, they began evacuating the building. Alert neighbors reported to the police that there was a child still trapped in a back bedroom of the apartment that was on fire.
Unable to enter the apartment through normal avenues, the two police officers broke out a bedroom window and located the terrified child hiding in a corner of the bedroom. Unable to coax the 8-year-old girl to them, one officer climbed into the smoke filled room, pulled the child out of danger and handed her to his partner.
The rescued child and both officers were treated at the scene and released.
Parker's little brother Austin said he likes David because he rides bikes with them and plays with him, and "he rocks and he is the best cop ever."
Burnley called it a "privilege" to write a letter of nomination for Henley. Burnley also said that since he became chief of police he has realized "that officer Henley is a leader in this department as displayed by his can-do attitude and dedication to the citizens of Nevada." Burnley said Henley "displays a tremendous amount of leadership, professionalism and heroism," which was proven during the incident at Elmwood Estates in which Henley went into a burning building to save a young girl.
In closing his letter Burnley said, "my admiration for Henley continues to this day due to his personal integrity, professionalism and patriotism. I know Henley to be an insightful police officer who always gets the job done."
Branham said that "Henley stood out from the beginning; I was constantly hearing back from the kids -- constantly talking about David." Branham said the Nevada Housing Authority is fortunate to have such a close working relationship with the police department. She said Henley was "a very good officer, consistent, firm, fair."
In her nomination letter Branham said "Henley exhibits all the great characteristic traits as a person and commissioned officer." She said he served as a great example for the public and especially the children in public housing . Branham included the two letters from the boys and Chief Burnley and said, "These nominations speak volumes and I do not think that I could add anything further to support our nomination for Officer Henley."
Henley was recognized as Peace Officer of the Year with a proclamation read during the monthly meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Public Housing Authority of Nevada on May 31. Though he has only been an officer since 2010 Henley has received a Chiefs Commendation for the heroism displayed by him and Burdick for their rescue of the young girl. Both officers also were awarded the Missouri Police Chiefs Association's Medal of Honor during a ceremony in December 2011. Henley recently became the latest of several Nevada officers to complete the Crisis Intervention Team training.