SLTPD honors and promotes during National Police Week

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) held the annual awards ceremony Thursday, honoring the retirement of K9 Tara, the promotion of Jeff Roberson to Sergeant, awards for bravery and for service.

The celebration was started with the National Anthem sung by South Tahoe High School senior Caroline Krolicki and a presentation of the colors by the department's Honor Guard.

Tara, the 10-year-old SLTPD K9 officer, retired after serving the community with a perfect record and a long list of assisting law enforcement through Northern California and Northern Nevada. She has also given birth to new generations of police dogs.

She started her service to South Lake Tahoe in April 2014 and will spend the rest of her years with the Jason Cheney family. Sgt. Cheney has been Tara's handler, and he'll have to wean her off "going to work" with some days hanging out at the station.

Jeff Roberson was promoted to the office of Sergeant. The veteran policeman has worked on the street, been a detective and spent time with the Carson City Sheriff's Office and Douglas County Sheriff's Office before coming to South Lake Tahoe in 2003.

Officers Cory Wilson, Chris Webber, Anton Kushlan, Timothy Peterson and Detective Justin Brock were honored for their apprehension of a man who was shooting off a gun in the Springwood Avenue area. They had responded to a call of shots heard, and went to the area behind the Fitness Evolution gym. A gunman was found in a pick up who took off as officers approached. The truck went down Sierra Boulevard to the end, turning the vehicle to face officers who trapped him. That didn't stop the suspect and he rammed the police cars in an attempt to get away.

Sergeant Jason Cheney, Officer Joseph Acker and community member Marshall Johnson were recognized for bravery in attempting to save a woman who fell off her paddleboard into the Truckee River and was hung up on some trees. Cheney struggled as he fought the current going upstream on a paddle board, reaching the woman and kept her head above water. Acker jumped in while in full uniform to assist Cheney, and Johnson, who heard the commotion from his nearby home, jumped in to assist. The three were credited with attempting to save the woman who later passed.

Detective Jake Herminghaus was given the Distinguished Service award and Maureen Stuhlman was presented the Community Service Award for her work on Vacation Home Rentals. Johnson's award was the "Citizen Award of Merit."