Members of the Azle Police Department, their families and guests gathered Friday, March 6, to celebrate the accomplishments of their own. In addition to traditional awards such as Officer of the Year, a number of Life Saving Awards and Exemplary Service Awards were presented. The Azle News is proud to recognize those honored — and those who were not — and to thank them for the devoted service and protection they provide day in and day out to the citizens of Azle.
Named Azle PD’s Investigator of the Year, Det. David Beane is an exceptional asset to the Criminal Investigations Division, consistently demonstrating drive, professionalism and a strong work ethic. He is highly knowledgeable, detail-oriented and confident in tackling complex workloads, particularly in fraud investigations where he has become a recognized subject-matter expert. His analytical skills and dedication have led to numerous case resolutions and arrests. Additionally, he routinely goes above and beyond to assist victims by connecting them with needed resources. Well respected by peers and patrol officers alike, Det. Beane’s collaborative approach, positive demeanor and commitment to serving the community have made a lasting and meaningful impact on the Azle Police Department.
Officer Stefan Beard received an Exemplary Service Award for demonstrating exceptional compassion and dedication in handling a high-stress situation involving a 10-year-old girl and a newborn. Officers were dispatched to a Flock hit indicating a stolen vehicle Jan. 11, 2025; the aunt and uncle of the two children in the back seat were arrested, which caused the young girl to panic and the infant to cry. Officer Beard comforted and soothed both children, even singing lullabies to the baby, until their grandmother arrived. Pictured is Officer Stefan Beard with his award.
Azle PD’s Civilian Supervisor of the Year is Dispatch Supervisor Tessa Erwin, who consistently demonstrates strong leadership, professionalism and a genuine commitment to her team. She balances compassion with accountability, actively works to improve performance, and seeks out better and more effective ways to operate. Erwin’s resilience, work ethic and commitment to the Azle Police Department make her an invaluable leader and role model.
Sgt. Richard Lukowsky, Cpl. Ty Tapp, Det. Blake Luecke and Det. Marco Gallardo were presented with Exemplary Service Awards after successfully recovering a 1-year-old boy who was kidnapped by his own parents in Toledo, Ohio. The Toledo Police Department contacted the Azle Police Department Aug. 13, 2025, requesting help and providing an order to take custody of the child on behalf of the Ohio Child Protective Services. Within three hours, these outstanding officers used investigative resources, including the Flock camera system, to identify a target resident and associated vehicles. On Aug. 14, 2025, the officers swiftly located and arrested both suspects and recovered the 1-year-old safely. Pictured with their awards are (l-r): Det. Marco Gallardo, Det. Blake Luecke, Cpl. Ty Tapp and Sgt. Richard Lukowsky.
Officer Joseph Giitinger was presented with a Life Saving Award after he searched and found a missing 74-year-old woman who suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease March 19, 2025.
Sgt. Thomas Gilbert was presented with a Life Saving Award and Officer Atilano Arreola, Cpl. Kevin Nguyen, Fire Marshal Melvin Wilson and Fire Marshal Moses Druxman received Exemplary Service Awards following an incident that occurred July 5, 2025. They each responded to a report of a woman on the edge of a bridge in the 600 block of Highway 199 who appeared ready to jump. At a critical moment, Gilbert physically secured the woman, potentially saving her life. Pictured (l-r): Cpl. Kevin Nguyen, Fire Marshal Melvin Wilson and Fire Marshal Moses Druxman. Not pictured are Sgt. Thomas Gilbert and Officer Atilano Arreola.
Records Assistant Melissa Hocker is Azle PD’s Civilian of the Year. Hocker consistently brings positivity, professionalism and a servant-minded attitude to the department. Her upbeat demeanor and willingness to help — whether within her department or across others — make her a dependable and valued team member. She takes her role seriously, readily accepts additional responsibility, and represents the department exceptionally well as the first point of contact with the public. Hocker’s strong work ethic, commitment to service, and ability to uplift those around her have a meaningful impact on both department morale and customer service.
Cpl. Chris Javarone and Officer Chad Krueger were presented Exemplary Service Awards after they responded to a routine verbal disturbance at Walmart May 29, 2025. That disturbance quickly escalated into an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Without the use of deadly force — which would have been justified under the circumstances — Javarone and Krueger arrested the suspect without further injury to the victim. Pictured (l-r): are Cpl. Christopher Javarone and Officer Chad Krueger.
Dispatcher Jessica Lewis was named Telecommunicator of the Year for the Azle Police Department. Lewis consistently demonstrates exceptional performance as a dispatcher, bringing a positive, calm and professional presence to every shift. Her ability to remain composed during high-stress calls while providing clear, detailed information greatly enhances officer safety and operational success. She is dedicated to continuous improvement, supports her teammates, and has made a meaningful impact on department morale through her consistently upbeat attitude. Jessica has also shown strong community commitment, including playing a critical role in locating missing persons and serving as a standout asset during departmental events. Her enthusiasm, professionalism, and reliability make her a highly valued member of the Azle Police Department.
Azle PD’s Police Volunteer of the Year is Joe Lieb, a dedicated and reliable presence at the Azle Police Department who goes above and beyond to support daily operations. Lieb willingly gives his time to assist wherever needed, particularly in maintaining and transporting department vehicles to ensure they are serviced quickly and remain in service. His proactive approach, positive attitude and commitment to helping both the department and the community make him an essential and highly valued part of the Azle Police Department.
Sgt. Richard Lukowsky and Cpl. Ty Tapp received Exemplary Service Awards for outstanding dedication and professionalism as they completed and facilitated a two-day Red Dot Transition Course for the entire Azle Police Department. Their efforts have made a significant contribution to the skill development and operational readiness of their fellow officers. Pictured with their awards are (l-r): Sgt. Richard Lukowsky and Cpl. Ty Tapp.
Jeanine Matheny was named Animal Control Volunteer of the Year. As the shelter’s volunteer coordinator, Matheny dedicates countless hours of her own time to ensure shelter volunteers are supported, informed and set up for success. She makes sure every volunteer receives proper training, guidance, and encouragement, which directly impacts the quality of care our animals receive.
Four Azle police officers and three dispatchers were presented with Life Saving Awards for the roles they played in saving the lives of a missing elderly Azle couple Dec. 14, 2025 (see complete story in the March 25 edition of The Azle News). Pictured (l-r): are award recipients Dispatch Supervisor Tessa Erwin, Dispatcher Jessica Lewis, Dispatcher Heidi White, Officer Paul Booker, Officer Joe Nelson, Officer Eric Flores and Chief Ben Hall, who presented the award.
Cpl. Kevin Nguyen was named Azle PD’s Supervisor of the Year after stepping confidently into his role as a young corporal, consistently setting a strong example through sound decision-making, leadership and professionalism. He readily accepts new responsibilities — including serving as a defensive tactics instructor and drone team leader — and communicates clearly with well-reasoned, practical proposals. Cpl. Nguyen is deeply invested in the success and development of his officers, motivating his team and supporting their growth in the field. His willingness to learn, take on challenges, and serve in demanding roles, such as SWAT, reflect his commitment to excellence.
Officer Cameron King was pinned in a ceremony during the awards presentations, making him Azle’s newest police officer.
Azle Dispatch Supervisor Angelque Scott received a Life Saving Award for her role in preventing a female prisoner in the Azle jail from harming herself. Scott was unable to attend the awards presentation and is not pictured.
