The 2024 DPS award recipients were recognized during a ceremony on May 6, 2025. Members of the awards committee included Sara Everson (chair), Brandy Cunningham, Oleta Davis, Sara Everson, Louis Johnson and Elizabeth Morse, with support from Makayla Lim.
In August 2024, Detective Feld was specifically requested for a case because of her exceptional reputation handling crimes against children. Her undercover performance was absolutely crucial for the success of the case. The phone conversations and in-person meeting with the suspect detailed sexually explicit conversations unimaginable to most people. Detective Feld maintained her composure and professionalism throughout the entire three-day operation. She navigated an extremely challenging situation which led to a successful outcome including significant criminal charges. She was given immense praise from the outside agencies assisting in the operation and Detective Feld’s work combatting child exploitation continues to bring great acclaim to her and the agency.
Nominated by: Lieutenant Jason Rieder
Throughout 2024, Detective Natasha Greene exemplified the vision and influence of the community policing model. Her deliberate effort and effortless compassion are the foundations on which this model relies, and the core of what it means to apply that model through action. In her role as ISU PD’s Engagement and Inclusion Officer, Detective Greene integrates the values, perspectives, and experiences of community members who have significant investments in feelings of apprehension or detachment from seeking out police as a resource for their needs regarding safety and comfort. By working actively to understand and integrate these perspectives into the held wisdom and course of action of ISU PD, Detective Greene bridges the ever-broadening gaps between police and their community.
Nominated by: Brody Norton
In February 2024, ISU PD detectives identified a suspect involved in the distribution of illegal substances (marijuana and psilocybin mushrooms) to members of the ISU and Ames community. Over the course of a month, Detective Hanson went undercover in order to communicate with the suspect. Detective Hanson conducted surveillance, gathered intelligence, and completed two different undercover controlled purchases. Evidence suggests the suspect may have had over 200 “customers,” many of whom were other ISU students. The suspect was arrested and charged with eight felonies related to the illegal distribution of controlled substances. Detective Tanner Hanson exhibited a high standard of job performance during an investigation which led to an exceptional arrest. This seizure of drugs and money represents one of the largest in CIDTF’s recent history.
Nominated by: Lieutenant Jason Rieder
In November2024, Officer Cole Hilsabeck respondedto areport of shots fired. OfficerHilsabeck arrived first on scene and located the shooting victim. Officer Hilsabeck was able to get basic information about the incident from the victim, which was quickly relayed to dispatch and other arriving officers. As medical care to the victim was handed off from Officer Hilsabeck to oncoming officers and EMT’s, Hilsabeck took further action to ensure that the victim’s children were safe and accounted for, before assisting in the apprehension of the shooting suspect. Officer Hilsabeck’s actions during this high-stress, dangerous situation demonstrated outstanding professionalism, courage, and commitment to the safety of our community.
Nominated by: Lieutenant Andrew Chapman
Lieutenant David Peterson is a consistent model of exemplary leadership. His care for this organization and its members is unmistakable. That care flows over into the community that ISU PD serves, and into the experiences of those impacted by the organization's work. For Lieutenant Peterson, work and community go hand-in-hand, and the separation of the two doesn't exist. When folks contribute to ISU PD, they contribute to the community, and he acknowledges that work with more than kind words and affirmations. He acknowledges it with the high expectations he sets of the members of his teams, with the integration of team members into his mission, and by giving credit and taking blame. Lieutenant Peterson is a leader that everyone deserves to experience at least once in their life, so they can see what it looks like when the job is done more than just right; It’s done for the right reasons.
Nominated by: Brody Norton
Lieutenant Jason Rieder served as lead supervisor during a multiple month-long threat assessment case involving a former ISU student. Though Lieutenant Rieder oversees a variety of threat assessment cases as part of his duties as the Investigations Lieutenant, this particular case required additional attention and ongoing diligent follow up from the threat assessment team he was supervising. The former student was continuing to threaten faculty, staff and students. Lieutenant Rieder managed multiple liaisons with campus leadership (affected faculty) and command within the Iowa National Guard. His in-depth information dive allowed the TAM investigative team to put together a plan for a mental health intervention. Without this intervention, it is likely the individual would have carried out his intended act of violence.
Nominated by: Assistant Chief Carrie Jacobs
Since 2020, ISU PD has been monitoring a situation involving a former ISU student. Detective Aitchison has been involved in this ongoing investigation since February 2023. Detective Aitchison engaged in active monitoring of this individual to watch for changes in his behavior, and she interacted with them on multiple occasions. In 2024, the individual’s activity level spiked and they began exhibiting behaviors that raised concerns for the safety and well-being of ISU and the broader community. The individual displayed escalated signs of paranoia, delusions of grandeur, and fixation. Over the course of two months, Detective Aitchison spent countless hours investigating and coordinating the response to divert the individual off the pathway to violence. Throughout her tireless investigation, Detective Aitchison also spent countless hours managing the fear of impacted individuals on campus. In the end, Detective Aitchison was able to coordinate with other agencies to get the individual taken into protective custody. Detective Aitchison’s highly professional performance over the course of nearly 2 years, her perseverance in managing a highly stressful case, and the relentless care she dedicated to our community helped to avert a violent attack within our community.
Nominated by: Lieutenant Jason Rieder
Dispatcher Stephanie Gorden demonstrated exceptional dedication and service that went above and beyond her duties as a public safety dispatcher throughout 2024. During a critical staffing shortage at the Ames Police Department Emergency Communications Center (ECC), Gorden stepped up by voluntarily obtaining a high-level certification in Emergency Medical Dispatching. Her efforts were instrumental in maintaining operational continuity and supporting Ames PD dispatchers during a challenging time. Gorden also played a pivotal role in fostering collaboration between the Ames PD and ISU PD ECCs. Through her initiative, leadership, and tireless commitment, Dispatcher Gorden has not only bridged operational gaps but also elevated the overall performance of the ECCs she supports. Her dedication to excellence, training, and innovation sets a standard for her peers and underscores her invaluable contributions to the community.
Nominated by: Dispatch Manager Louis Johnson
Since 2020, ISU PD has beenmonitoring a situation involving a former ISU student. TAM Coordinator Kise has been involved in this ongoing investigation since the start of his employment at ISU PD in January 2023. Throughout August – September 2024, the activity level spiked and the former student began exhibiting behaviors that raised concerns for the safety and well-being of ISU and the broader community. Over the course of those two months, Kise spent countless hours researching, reviewing legal documents and social media posts, and collaborating on the response to divert FS off the pathway to violence. This required him to have regular, communication with numerous entities focusing on gathering intelligence and assessing the threat level of the situation. This communication included multiple local, state, and federal agencies and other various resources focused on intelligence gathering and dissemination. Finally, he provided critical guidance to law enforcement partners to ensure a safe resolution to the situation. Greg Kise’s diligent work helped avert a violent attack within our community. Kise’s highly professional performance over the course of nearly 2 years, his perseverance in managing a highly stressful case, and the critical guidance he provided to ensure a safe resolution is deserving of this award.
Nominated by: Lieutenant Jason Rieder
In April 2024, Ames Police received a call about a female subject engaged with self-harming behavior, combined with a potential overdose, who was walking aimlessly in the campus area. CSA Barta was on patrol as a Community Safety Ambassador when he observed the subject described in the call. CSA Barta recognized the urgency of the circumstances, called patrol and notified them that he located the female subject. Ames Police arrived on scene as well as ISU PD officers. The injuries were so severe that had CSA Barta not located the subject, her life would have been in serious jeopardy. Because of CSA Barta’s quick and decisive actions the subject was able to get lifesaving treatment. CSA Barta’s action were exemplary, professional and his attention to detail were instrumental in this call and representation of the CSA program.
Nominated by: Lieutenant Andrew Chapman and Lieutenant David Peterson
In October 2024 while on routine patrol, Officer Ter’ran Benton came across a motor vehicle collision that had just occurred. Upon arrival, Officer Benton was confronted with a severely injured victim who had suffered significant trauma and was unresponsive, showing no signs of breathing or a pulse. Without hesitation, Officer Benton immediately assessed the situation, determined that there were safety factors with the current location and relocated the victim away from the smoking vehicle. Officer Benton then initiated CPR, performing chest compressions even as the environment remained tense and full of distractions. Despite the overwhelming circumstances, Officer Benton remained focused on the victim, continuing CPR for several minutes until EMS arrived on scene. Officer Benton’s actions on the scene of this motor vehicle collision exemplify the core values of our department: courage, professionalism, and dedication to serving the community. Officer Benton acted unquestionably by swiftly demonstrating skill and compassion and remaining calm under pressure.
Nominated by Lieutenant Andrew Chapman
In December 2024, Officer Solomon Farner was working the Men's Basketball game when a report came out of a male that was possibly having a stroke. Upon arrival to the scene, Officer Farner assisted paramedics in pulling the patient up the stairs to a flat surface. Assistant Chief Jacobs arrived on the scene as compressions were started and Officer Farner and AC Jacobs assisted the paramedics by using the AED, which was successful and brought the patient back to consciousness. Once EMS arrived, Officer Farner assisted in moving the patient to the stretcher to be transported to the hospital for further treatment. Without Officer Farner and AC Jacobs’ quick response, the outcome may have been very different.
Nominated by: Lieutenant Jessica Spada
In December 2024, Assistant Chief Carrie Jacobs was working the Men's Basketball game when a report came out of a male that was possibly having a stroke. Upon arrival to the scene, Jacobs observed that compressions had been started by the paramedics. Aided by Officer Farner, Assistant Chief Jacobs utilized the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to deliver an electric shock intended to restore the patient’s heartbeat and successfully brought the patient back to consciousness. Once EMS arrived, the patient to the stretcher to be transported to the hospital for further treatment. Without Assistant Chief Jacobs’ quick response with the AED and Office Farner’s assistance, the outcome may have been very different.
Nominated by: Lieutenant Jessica Spada and Chief of Police Michael Newton
In November 2024, Captain Sara Jensen was on duty and working an ISU football game when she noticed a male being helped to the ground by another individual just outside of the gate at Jack Trice Stadium.
Captain Jensen went over to the individual, who was now laying on the ground and the person helping him said the patient was not feeling well and couldn’t walk anymore. Captain Jensen assessed the male patient and immediately called for paramedics to the scene as he had very shallow breathing. Within two minutes of placing the request, paramedics arrived on scene. After the secondary assessment by paramedics, CPR was initiated as the patient had stopped breathing. Captain Jensen remained on scene to assist paramedics with their interventions and assisted in loading him into the ambulance. Due to Captain Jensen's quick assessment and notification to advanced life support (MGMC paramedics), the patient was successfully resuscitated and is doing well in his cardiac rehabilitation program.
Nominated by: Assistant Chief Carrie Jacobs
As a student-facing organization, having an effective, user-friendly website is crucial to our mission of serving and protecting the Iowa State community. When our department identified the critical need for a website overhaul but lacked the internal capacity to execute this project, Erin Rosacker stepped forward without hesitation to assist.
Erin's contributions went far beyond basic website development. She demonstrated remarkable initiative and commitment by: taking ownership of this high-priority project, working closely with department stakeholders to understand the unique needs of a law enforcement and public safety website, ensuring the new website effectively serves our student population with intuitive navigation and accessible safety information, implementing modern design principles while maintaining professionalism appropriate for a law enforcement agency, and creating a platform that enhances our ability to communicate critical safety information to the campus community.
The resulting website has significantly improved our department's ability to serve the ISU community, providing students, faculty, and staff with better access to safety resources, emergency information, and department services. This enhancement to our digital presence directly supports our mission of maintaining campus safety and security. Erin's willingness to assist our department exemplifies the spirit of community service that the Chief's Award seeks to recognize. Her contributions have made a lasting positive impact on our department's ability to serve and protect the Iowa State University community.
Nominated by Michael Newton, Associate Vice President and Chief of Police
