As part of National Police Week, the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) recognized the courage and heroism of 70 law enforcement officers from across the country at its 32nd annual Top Cops Awards dinner in Washington, D.C., on May 12.

Each year, members of federal, state, county, tribal and local agencies nationwide nominate their partners and colleagues for actions above and beyond the call of duty during the preceding year. An independent committee of national law enforcement representatives selects the finalists from among the hundreds nominated. The top 10 cases are named Top Cops Awards winners, and additional officers receive honorable mentions.

Congratulations to all the 2025 honorees for their incredible dedication to service!

ALABAMA

On October 26, 2024, Fresno police officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation at a residence where a repeat violent offender lived. After being briefed at the scene, Sergeant George Imirian parked a few blocks away to do some administrative work on his computer. At the same time, officers obtained camera footage that showed the suspect leaving the home with a firearm. Unbeknownst to them, he had just fatally shot and violently stabbed his friend inside. Meanwhile, the suspect saw Imirian’s vehicle, drove up beside it and opened fire. Ten bullets pierced the door, several hitting Imirian’s torso and legs. The sergeant pursued the suspect and engaged him in a firefight until backup arrived. Imirian was rushed to a hospital and eventually recovered from his injuries.

ARIZONA

On September 3, 2024, Phoenix Police Officers Matthew Haney and Zane Coolidge responded to a call of an automobile break-in. The suspect fled when they arrived at the scene, but then suddenly drew a gun and fired multiple shots, striking Coolidge in the neck and Haney in the abdomen. Haney returned fire, put out a 999 call, did everything he could to save the gravely wounded Coolidge and provided crucial information to responding units about the suspect, who was taken into custody. Both officers were rushed to a nearby hospital, where Haney was treated and released with the round still inside him. Haney’s care of his partner at the scene proved instrumental in doctors being able to prolong Coolidge’s life for three days, allowing his wife and their 5-month-old daughter to say goodbye before he passed away.

CALIFORNIA

On March 8, 2023, the LAPD received a tip that a man with a felony warrant was hiding at a residence. A K-9 unit located him and attempted to make contact, but the man ignored them. Officers eventually introduced OC vapor to force the man outside. Officer Steven Wills acted as a cover for Officer Daniel Cota, who deployed the OC canisters. The man unsuccessfully tried to escape, and after officers advised him to surrender, he opened fire on them. Officers Wills, Alan Ramirez and Adrian Bonilla were each struck by gunfire. The officers returned fire, joined by Officers Steven Jenkins, Christopher Jones and Ruben Chavez, while taking cover and evacuating the garage area. The suspect was shot multiple times, succumbing to his wounds. Officers Maricela Corral, Hans Almaraz and Thomas Onyshko provided immediate medical attention to the wounded officers, who made a full recovery.

FLORIDA

On January 17, 2024, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Jonathan Burdette and Deputies Jocelyn Arevalo, Mario Bianchi, Bradley Chang, Nikolas A. Infante and Israel Rodriguez were dispatched to a residence with an armed squatter inside. The suspect opened fire, striking Bianchi on his face, neck, arm and hand, and Infante in his shoulder. Chang returned fire, striking the suspect and ending the threat. Arevalo, Burdette and Rodriguez helped get the wounded officers to safety, and both recovered from their injuries.

ILLINOIS

On January 11, 2024, Quincy Police Officer Gabriel VanderMaiden was just six days into the field training program, assigned to Officer Matthew Hermsmeier — who had been trained by VanderMaiden’s father 26 years before. Responding to a call of a domestic dispute, they found the suspect inside the residence with a handgun in his waistband. Hermsmeier deployed his Taser, but the suspect was able to fire a shot and struck the officer in the arm. They struggled for control of the firearm, the suspect repeatedly punching Hermsmeier in the face. VanderMaiden fired two shots, striking the suspect and ending the threat. The victim was unharmed and Hermsmeier recovered quickly from his injury. (Note: Neither officer was able to attend the awards ceremony.)

NEVADA

On June 8, 2024, Las Vegas Metropolitan police officers responded to a call from a man who was holding his girlfriend hostage, threatening to kill her and himself, and said he had a firearm. After several tense interactions with the suspect, the team realized they needed to act immediately to save the victim. Through a window, Officers Cruz Littlefield and Alfredo Ramirez saw the suspect preparing to stab her in the neck with a two-pronged serving fork. As he ignored their commands to drop the weapon, Littlefield and Ramirez fired, striking him several times and ending the threat. The hostage was rescued, fortunately not seriously injured.

NEW YORK — BUFFALO

On July 10, 2024, Buffalo Police Officer Ronald “Buddy” Ammerman pulled over a vehicle for speeding. Discovering that the driver did not have a license, Ammerman opened the door and asked him to get out of the car. Instead, the suspect sped off down the street with Ammerman hanging on to the door frame. Showing no regard for the safety of his unbelted 6-year-old nephew in the passenger seat and no intention of slowing down, the driver tried to pry Ammerman off the car as it swerved across the four-lane road at up to 60 mph. Despite brush burns to his arm and leg, Ammerman managed to draw his sidearm and, making sure the little boy was not in the line of fire, fired multiple shots at close range. Hit several times, the driver fell out of the vehicle, and as the car decelerated, Ammerman managed to let go and land on his feet. He then sprinted after the car and was able to pull the child from the front seat.

NEW YORK — SYRACUSE

On April 14, 2024, Syracuse Police Officers James Zollo and Michael Jensen spotted a vehicle blowing past stop signs. They initiated a pursuit, but when the driver’s speed approached 100 mph, they followed departmental procedure and returned to the station, where they were able to identify the car’s owner through surveillance photos of its license plate. With Syracuse Officers John Canestrare and Benedict Rath and Onondaga County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Michael Hoosock, they went to the suspect’s home. He opened fire, killing Hoosock, then ambushed Jensen, who was shot under his armpit but was able to return fire and struck the suspect at least once. As the suspect approached him, Canestrare fired multiple times, ultimately ending the threat. Officers rushed Jensen to a nearby hospital, but tragically, he did not survive.

TEXAS

On April 20, 2024, Corpus Christi Police Officers Kyle Hicks and Marco Ramirez responded to a domestic disturbance call. As they attempted to control the suspect, he drew a pistol concealed in his waistband and fired several rounds, striking Hicks in his bulletproof vest and his neck. Ramirez drew his weapon and got off four shots, striking the suspect and ending the threat before turning his attention to his injured partner. Tragically, despite Ramirez’s lifesaving measures, as well as those of the responding EMTs and surgeons at the hospital, Hicks succumbed to his wounds three days later, leaving behind a loving wife and four small children.