On October 4^th, 2013, University of Maryland Police Chief, David B. Mitchell, recognized members of the University Community and members of the Police Department for their valiant efforts and their attention to details that prevented the potential loss of a life on Campus.

On September 28, 2013, Ms. O’Connors noticed a message that was posted online on a website about an individual that wanted to cause great harm to them self, which could potentially end their life.  Ms. O’Connor's believed the post was from a student at UMD, called Police and told University of Maryland Police 911 dispatchers, PCO II Taylor and PCO III Banks, who then began making notifications to officers while still handling phone calls and requests from officers working. MPO Powers, Lt. Ecker, and Det. Lesniewicz contacted the website administrator, who then helped tracked down the source and provided the information to the officers. Officers then provided the information to Mr. Singh, Mr. Anderson, and Mr. Eskin (UMPD IT Department), who were able to determine that the source was wireless. They then contacted Mr. Sneeringer at the Division of Information Technology, who provided officers the name and campus address that was associated with the information. Officers made contact with the individual and provided the necessary assistance that the individual needed.  

In order for Employees at the University of Maryland Police Department or citizens to receive the Commendation for Merit, they must have demonstrated high levels of expertise, initiative, resourcefulness, or dedication in the: 1) Solution of particular crimes, 2) Apprehension of particular suspects, 3) Attempts to save the lives of others, 4) Delivery of critical operations related police services, 5)Development, initiation, and conduct of innovative operatinonal, administrative, or support programs within UMPD, or  6) Development, initiation, and conduct of successful or innovative policing or problem solving projects directly related to the community or groups of citizens.

The following individuals received certificates and medals for Commendation for Merit:

Ms. Meghan O’Connor, student at UMD

Mr. Gerry Sneeringer, Division of Information Technology

Mr. Apaar Singh, IT Manager at UMPD

Mr. Michael Anderson, IT Department at UMPD

Mr. Stephen Eskin, IT Department at UMPD

PCO I Kelly Taylor, 911 Dispatcher at UMPD

PCO III Denise Banks, 911 Dispatcher at UMPD

MPO Joel Powers, Officer at UMPD

MPO Eddie Man, Officer at UMPD

Det./ MPO Brian Lesniewicz, Detective at UMPD

Lt. Kenneth Ecker, Officer at UMPD

Because of Ms. O’Connor’s swift action and attention to details, Ms. O’Connor made a difference that day; she saved a life. See saw something, and told someone about it. The University of Maryland Police thanks you Ms. O’Connor, Mr. Sneeringer, their Officers and Staff; thank you for making a difference in the community that you live in and work in!