Cedar Falls Police Officers Honored At Ceremony

Four Cedar Falls police officers were honored for their dedication and service to the city during a ceremony held on Wednesday (May 5, 2015).

Director of Public Safety/Police Chief Jeff Olson recognized the officers for their excellence and achievement in 2014 during the event, which was held at City Hall. The four honored officers (listed below) have more than 40 years of combined service with the department.
 

**Photos Below are courtesy of Cedar Falls Police Department**

Investigator John Zolondek was the recipient of the 2014 Officer of Year award. Investigator Zolondek joined CFPD in 2007 and he has served on every patrol shift and in the investigative unit. He is an instructor for firearms and TASER, a Drug Recognition Expert, and serves as a Field Training Officer. Investigator Zolondek is a member of the Major Incident Response Team and is a Fire Fighter 1 and Emergency Medical Technician. He has served as a Paid-on-Call Firefighter for Cedar Falls since 2008 and is currently a cross-trained Public Safety Officer. Investigator Zolondek was recommended for this award by his supervisors because of his excellent work ethic, job knowledge, and empathy when dealing with crime victims. He was also commended for his commitment and dedication which he demonstrated as the lead investigator for an unsolved homicide which occurred in 2014.

Captain Mike Hayes was presented the 2014 R.J. Voss Award for Management Excellence. Capt. Hayes currently serves as the Captain of the Department’s Support Services Unit. Hayes has been employed as a Cedar Falls Police Officer since 1986. He was promoted to sergeant in 2000 and to the rank of captain in 2001. Captain Hayes graduated from the Southern Police Institute's Administrative Officer's Course in 2007. Hayes has served on every patrol shift and in the investigative unit as an investigator and as the investigative unit commander. He is a former D.A.R.E. Instructor and served previously on the Tri-County Drug Task Force. He has served on the Major Incident Response Team as a team member and as the team commander. Captain Hayes was recommended for this award by his subordinate supervisors for his commitment and dedication to his job and to his team during his recent assignment as the 3rd shift patrol commander. He was recognized for his strong leadership skills, his commitment to the mentoring process, and for his long-standing relationships with other law enforcement agencies, attorneys, and Cedar Falls businesses. The R.J. Voss award is presented annually in memory of former Assistant Police Chief R.J. Voss.

Reserve Officer John Bostwick was selected as the 2014 Reserve Officer of the Year. Reserve Officer Bostwick has served with the CFPD Reserve Unit for over four years and he is currently a District Director for the Iowa State Reserve Law Officers Association. Bostwick was nominated for this award by his co-workers and supervisors because of his work ethic, his commitment to the reserve program, and for working in excess of the hours required of a reserve officer. Bostwick has been a Paid-On-Call Reserve Police Officer since 2011. He has been a career firefighter for the Cedar Falls Fire Rescue Department since 1980 where he serves as a Battalion Chief. The Reserve Officer of the Year Award and plaque is named the "Conger Award" in memory of former Reserve Officer Dan Conger.

Officer Sam Shafer received an Award of Excellence from Director Olson and was recognized for his contributions and dedication to the Cedar Falls Police Department.