Law Enforcement Support

Mission Moment – November 2022

Sergeant Ramon Gutierrez

November 2022 Mission Moment
Sergeant Ramon Gutierrez
Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Texas

On January 24, 2022, at about 1:00 am, Sergeant Ramon Gutierrez was struck and killed by a drunk driver in Harris County Texas on the East Beltway feeder road near Tidwell Road.

Sergeant Gutierrez was providing an escort for a permitted heavy load and was directing traffic while blocking an exit ramp.  An impaired driver drove around his police motorcycle and struck him before fleeing the scene. Another deputy stopped the driver a short distance away and placed her under arrest. She was charged with intoxication manslaughter of a police officer, failure to stop and render aid, and evading arrest/detention in a motor vehicle.

Sergeant Gutierrez was flown to Memorial Hermann Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Sergeant Gutierrez had served with the Harris County Sheriff's Office for 20 years and was assigned to the Vehicular Crimes Division. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Guest Author – November 2022

Waymo Train First Responders How to Interact with Autonomous Vehicles

The question is common: If there’s an emergency or incident, how will police and emergency responders interact with a fully autonomous vehicle?

Waymo was the first company to publish a plan to help law enforcement and other emergency responders understand how its technology and vehicles work and be prepared for any situation on the road including emergencies, collisions, and other scenarios where there is no vehicle operator.

Waymo expanded its educational efforts with the release of a training video designed to provide even more information to first responders. These materials are paired with hands-on training for thousands of police officers, fire fighters, EMTs and other first responders where Waymo vehicles drive on public roads including cities in California, Arizona and Texas.

As the holiday season approaches, Waymo is proud to team up with MADD for its annual Tie One On For Safety campaign and urge the public not to drink and drive, and always designate a non-drinking, non-consuming driver.

Waymo is committed to improving road safety and ensuring public safety officials have the knowledge and confidence to interact with a fully autonomous car.

To learn more, visit waymo.com/firstresponders

Officer of the Month – November 2022

Officer Brandon DeVita

November 2022 Officer of the Month

Officer Brandon DeVita

Holly Police Department, Michigan

MADD proudly recognizes Officer Brandon DeVita of the Holly Police Department as our Officer of the Month for November 2022.  Officer DeVita joined the Holly Police Department in April of 2021.  He has a passion for traffic safety and impaired driving enforcement.

In his first 8 months of patrol duty, Officer DeVita arrested 44 impaired drivers. He has an exceptional impaired driving detection and roadside technique combined with perfected report writing skills.  This reflects in his conviction rate, which is the best in the department.

Officer DeVita’s enforcement record stands out as he only works a part-time schedule!  Officer DeVita received MADD/Michigan’s Outstanding Officer award at the statewide Law Enforcement Recognition event held on June 17, 2022.

MADD National is proud to recognize Officer Brandon DeVita as the November 2022 Officer of the Month.  We thank him for his dedicated service to the citizens of Holly and the State of Michigan.  We wish him the best in safety and wellness in the remaining years of his career and service to the citizens of Holly.

Thank you to Sue Strong, MADD/Michigan Program Coordinator for her nomination of Officer DeVita for this recognition.

MADD extends our deepest condolences to the agencies and families who have lost officers and loved ones in the line of duty

For a complete listing of Officers lost in the line of duty, please visit: www.odmp.org

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