Six Warren officers receive Valor Award

WARREN — The Hundred Club of Detroit recently awarded six Warren Police Department officers with the 2024 Valor Award for heroic action at their annual awards banquet at the Detroit Athletic Club.

It is the largest number of Warren officers recognized in a year, according to the Warren Police Department.

Police officers Brenden Fraser, James Burke, Elmondo Smith, Arthur Rucinski, Evan Dinkel and Sgt. Chad Wolowiec were among the 33 awardees honored.

Fraser helped save a toddler’s life on Aug. 29, 2023. The officer was flagged down by a motorist who was speeding to get his 18-month-old nephew to the hospital. The toddler wasn’t breathing, had turned blue, and his eyes were rolled back into his head, according to police. The officer performed back blows until the child regurgitated, which cleared the airways, and the toddler started breathing on his own.

“First responders go into unknown situations to do their jobs every day, with no expectation of recognition,” Fraser said.

The Hundred Club was started by auto dealer and philanthropist William Packer in the 1950s to provide financial assistance to the spouses and the families of first responders killed in the line of duty. In addition to the Valor Award, the officers received an engraved Shinola watch.

“I am honored to receive an award and recognition from the Hundred Club, which is an extremely generous organization,” Fraser added.

Officers Burke and Smith were recognized for providing lifesaving first aid to a stabbing victim on June 18. Warren police were dispatched to an apartment complex where they found a man who they described as bleeding profusely. The officers applied a tourniquet and waited with the victim until the Warren Fire Department transported him to the hospital. After follow-up at the hospital, emergency room staff told detectives the quick and proper application of the tourniquet saved the man’s life.

The suspect who allegedly committed the stabbing was arrested by other officers, and charged with assault less than murder, a 10-year felony and assault with a dangerous weapon, a four-year felony.

Rucinski, Dinkel and Wolowiec stopped a domestic violence threat. On April 12, Rucinski and Dinkel were dispatched to a Warren residence for a domestic disturbance, and Wolowiec joined them a few minutes later. The caller reported a family member was assaulting other family members. The suspect reportedly brandished a gun toward officers in an offensive stance and was shot by police. The suspect was transported to the hospital where he later was pronounced dead.

“This is a tragedy no one wanted but the officers were protecting themselves, each other and the residents inside the home,” Police said.

“These six officers exemplify what it means to go above and beyond in the line of duty to protect and serve the community. The Valor Award is highly coveted in law enforcement for what it symbolizes. I, along with every member of this Department, am very proud and excited that these officers were recognized by the Hundred Club for their exemplary acts on duty,” Acting Warren Police Commissioner Charles Rushton said in a press release.  “The fact that we had six officers awarded with the Valor Award this year speaks to the hard work, dedication, and overall spirit of service every man and woman of this Department displays every day.”