Four Aurora police officers honored for actions in domestic violence call
Four Aurora Police officers have been chosen as Co-Employees of the Year at the Aurora Police Department for their response to a particularly brutal domestic violence incident last May.
When officers William Melendez and Christopher Grandchamp arrived on the scene of the call at a near west side apartment complex, they heard yelling and screaming coming from inside one of the units. They immediately forced entrance into the locked apartment and saw a man standing over a woman who was suffering from injuries sustained in a vicious beating.
Upon seeing the officers, the man refused to follow their orders, ran into a nearby bedroom, and despite being ordered multiple times at gunpoint to exit the room, the offender refused to come out.
When Melendez and Grandchamp radioed for assistance, Officer Peter Briddell, who was on his way to work to begin his shift, and Investigator Patrick Camardo, who was tending to evidence work at the police station, responded.
The four were joined by North Aurora Officer John Kerlin. When the five officers forced their way into the bedroom, the suspect fought, repeatedly attempted to goad the officers into shooting him, attempted to disarm one of the officers, and violently resisted arrest, forcing the officers to deploy a Taser.
By the time the offender was taken into custody, two of the officers suffered broken bones from the fight.
The victim told police that the man told her he was going to beat her into a coma. She was choked, suffered a broken nose, severe swelling of her face and hands, and received several stitches. Among the offender's charges were three felonies: aggravated domestic battery, disarming a police officer, and resisting arrest.
"The actions of these officers to force entry into a residence to stop an ongoing assault and the restraint showed in making an arrest even after they were injured themselves demonstrates the professionalism of the individual officers and how well they represent the Aurora Police Department," Chief Greg Thomas said.
Grandchamp spoke on behalf of his colleagues.
"The best part of it was how many police officers showed up (when we were calling for help)," he said. "Within minutes the parking lot was filled with squad cars, and that's one of the things I love about Aurora. We have an incredible team here, an incredible camaraderie."
Melendez began his career with the Aurora police in 2013, Grandchamp in 2011, Briddell in 2004, and Camardo in 2006.
The four were among 18 Aurora police officers and five 9-1-1 operators who were all named Employees or Co-Employees of the Month in 2014 and were eligible for the annual Employee of the Year award.