Commission awards multiple commendations for arrests, investigations and de‑escalation incidents

The Metropolitan Police Commission awarded multiple commendations to Merrillville officers and task‑force partners for arrests, seizures and lifesaving or high‑risk responses across incidents from February through May.

Detective Quetta Osborne was recognized with a Level 2 commendation for work with the Lake County Drug Task Force that led to arrests and a large drug and firearms seizure following a four‑month investigation. The commission record lists seized items as $2,121 in U.S. currency; 4,482.4 grams of crystal meth; 152.3 grams of cocaine; 13.1 grams of crack; 31.3 grams of fentanyl; 93.6 grams of marijuana; two rifles and three handguns.

Officer Ian Davidson Dugan received a Level 2 commendation and Officer Ian Fultz a Level 1 for a February traffic stop and subsequent search that produced narcotics (including methamphetamine) and five high‑level felony charges for the suspect. The commission noted Officer Fultz’s K‑9 Yaga alerted to narcotics during the stop.

Officers Jillian Evans, Eric Reed and Mark Novak received commendations for arresting a robbery suspect at a Family Dollar on April 17, 2025; license‑plate reader matches and follow‑up surveillance led to the suspect’s arrest within an hour of the reported incident. Sergeant Lance Schmidt, Detective Sergeant Josh Gonzales and Detective Corporal Aaron Ridgeway received Level 2 commendations for assisting U.S. Marshals Task Force operations that resulted in the custody of a fugitive wanted on charges related to child‑abuse material out of Michigan.

A patrol response to an April 15 armed robbery at Myers—where a suspect armed with knives refused commands—led to a Level 3 commendation for Lieutenant Jeff Rice and three officers (Corporal Corey Nash, Officer Ian Davidson Dugan and others) after coordinated nonlethal tactics, a ballistic shield deployment and the use of a taser resulted in a safe arrest.

Detective Aaron Meyer and Shift Commander Gary Henry were commended for follow‑up auto‑theft work that included use of license‑plate reader data and interagency coordination and produced a suspect confession. Several May 11 incidents —including a traffic stop that recovered a loaded firearm near Feiler Elementary School, and a stabbing investigation that led to recovery of multiple firearms (an AR‑15 rifle and pistol, a 12‑gauge shotgun and handguns)—were also recognized with Level 2 and Level 3 commendations to officers involved.

Officer Taylor Hensley was awarded a meritorious police duty commendation after negotiating a juvenile away from self‑harm with a box cutter on May 19, 2025. Officer Denise Zaney received a Level 1 commendation after a victim’s family submitted an anonymous letter praising her professionalism and compassion in responding to a May 24 hit‑and‑run.

Each recommendation was moved and seconded and the commission approved the listed commendations by recorded voice or roll call votes during the meeting. The commendations note interagency cooperation with the Lake County Drug Task Force, Indiana State Police, Crown Point Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service in multiple incidents.