On February 17, 2022, the East Grand Forks Police Department held their 2021 Awards Ceremony at the East Grand Forks City Hall. Officers were recognized for a variety of accomplishments during 2021.
Years of Service
5 Years Cpl. Ryan Douglas
10 Years Cpl. Alex Schilke
Specialized Assignment
Cpl. Alex Schilke – DRE
Cpl. Nick Anderson – SWAT
Off. Tyler Hajicek – Canine
Cpl. Nick Gunderson – SRO
Cpl. Ryan Douglas – SWAT
Off. Nick Korynta – SWAT
Expert Marksman Award
Chief Michael Hedlund
Sgt. Chris Olson
Sgt. Aeisso Schrage
Sgt. Jared Quanrud
Cpl. Nick Gunderson
Cpl. Justin Roue
Off. John Grabanski
Off. Parker Knaack
Lt. Rod Hajicek
Sgt. Dennis Robertson
Sgt. Greg Gahlon
Cpl. Alex Schilke
Cpl. Ryan Douglas
Off. Tyler Hajicek
Off. Cole Hodny
Master Marksman Award
Cpl. Nick Anderson
Off. Nick Korynta
Advanced Certification
Cpl. Ryan Douglas – Firearms Instructor & ABLE Instructor
Cpl. Nick Anderson – PepperBall Instructor
Cpl. Nick Gunderson – CPR/AED Instructor
Off. Cole Hodny – PepperBall Instructor
Off. Felicia Znajda – ASP Instructor
Departmental Service Award
Off Felicia Znajda – Code 3 for Christmas — Felicia has been instrumental in keeping the CODE 3 for Christmas moving forward and, in fact, growing larger. In 2021 this program served over 150 families, Felicia’s efforts and dedication to this program have helped make the Holiday season brighter for many EGF families!
Civic Recognition Award
July 27, 2021, Incident -On July 27, 2021, Off, John Grabanski was on patrol when he was flagged down by a subject who reported someone having a medical emergency. Officer Grabanski responded to the residence and located a subject who was breathing but unconscious, Officer Grabanski requested that EGF Fire and Altru ambulance personnel respond to the location. The subject was transported to Altru Hospital, where they recovered from the medical emergency. Family members of the subject contacted the EGFPD request personally thank Off, Grabanski and stated that they were convinced the subject would have died were it not for the actions of Off. Grabanski.
Lifesaving
January 27, 2021, Incident – While on patrol at approx. 3:55 AM Sgt. Greg Gahlon observed an open garage door at a residence in the Point area of East Grand Forks. Sgt. Gahlon found this suspicious due to the time of day and extreme temperatures (-18 degrees) and decided to check more closely. Sgt. Gahlon found an unresponsive female subject laying on the floor of the garage. Sgt. Gahlon immediately requested medical assistance and closed the garage door. Off. Justin Roue arrived and assisted Sgt. Gahlon in getting blankets from the home and attempting to warm the subject. EGFFD and Altru ambulance also responded and subsequently transported the subject to Altru Hospital. The Lifesaving Award is presented to Sgt. Greg Gahlon.
February 8, 2021, Incident – On February 8, 2021, Officer Cole Hodny responded to the East Grand Inn for a report of a possible overdose in one of the motel rooms. Upon his arrival, Off. Hodny discovered an unresponsive male subject on the floor of the room. He subsequently administered a dose of NarCan. Cpl, Nick Anderson, arrived on the scene and began CPR. After a short time, officers could locate a pulse and stopped CPR, Off. Jake Schiller arrived and began to assist with monitoring the subject. Off. Schiller determined that the subject’s pulse had weakened and then stopped, so CPR was again started. A second dose of NarCan was administered, and a short time later, the subject regained consciousness and began talking to the officers. The subject was subsequently transported to Altru Hospital. The Lifesaving Award is presented to Cpl. Nick Anderson, Officer Cole Hodny, and Officer Jake Schiller.
April 15, 2021, Incident – Off, Parker Knaack responded to a report of a male subject suffering from a seizure. When Off. Knaack arrived at the residence he discovered the male subject was unresponsive. When he could not find a pulse Off. Knaack started CPR. Sgt. Gahlon and EGFFD staff also arrived and began to assist with the lifesaving efforts. Based upon the subject’s condition Off. Knaack believed that he may have been under the influence of a narcotic, and he administered a dose of NarCan and then resumed CPR. Altru ambulance staff arrived and, during the course of treating the subject, determined that the subject had regained a pulse. The subject was taken to Altru for further treatment. The subject reportedly regained consciousness on the way to Altru. The Lifesaving Award is presented to Officer Parker Knaack,
May 25, 2021, Incident – On May 25, 2021, Officer Justin Roue and Officer Nick Korynta responded to a report of a possible overdose. Upon their arrival, they discovered a male subject who was unresponsive. The subject had reportedly been down for about ten minutes and did not appear to be breathing. Based upon the subject’s condition and evidence at the scene, officers believed that he had suffered from an overdose. Officer Roue administered a dose of NarCan, but the subject only showed marginal improvement, so Off. Korynta administered a second dose. The subject began more normal breathing, and officers could locate a heartbeat. After a few minutes, the subject regained consciousness. The subject was subsequently transported to Altru Hospital. The Lifesaving Award is presented to Cpl. Justin Roue and Officer Nick Korynta.
May 31, 2021, Incident – On May 31, 2021, Officer Jake Schiller and Officer Cole Hodny responded to a medical assist call, Upon their arrival, they discovered an unresponsive female subject who was face down on the kitchen floor. Based upon the subject’s condition, they believed that she was suffering from an overdose. The officers moved the subject to her back and administered a dose of NarCan. Approx a minute later, the subject regained consciousness and began to speak to the officers. The subject was subsequently transported to Altru Hospital. The Lifesaving Award is presented to Officer Jake Schiller and Officer Cole Hodny.
November 24, 2021, Incident – On November 24, 2021, Off. Tyler Hajicek responded to a medical assist call at Cabela’s. Upon his arrival, Off. Hajicek observed a male subject laying on the floor. Off. Hajicek assisted EGF Fire Department staff in attaching an AED and in performing compressions during CPR. The subject ultimately began breathing on his own and regained consciousness. The subject was transported to Altru Hospital. The Lifesaving Award is presented to Off Tyler Hajicek.
Police Commendation Award
2021 – Sgt. Tony Hart underwent a heart transplant in early 2021, He battled back from that truly life-threatening situation and has now been restored to full-duty. Sgt. Hart’s bravery and perseverance in the face of difficult odds and the example he presents for all of us to never give up.
For further information contact Chief Michael Hedlund: (218) 773-2283 mhedlund@egf.mn
