Events/Projects :: Unsung Heroes Recognition Dinner :: 2009 Winners Bios
TUCSON POLICE FOUNDATION
Unsung Heroes 2009 Winners
- Sgt. Anthony Kadous
- Sgt. Jeffrey Mockbee
- Behavioral Science Unit — Dr. Luz Cornell, Sergeant James Kirk and Sergeant Lee McNitt
- Mrs. Marcia "Corky" Shields — non-sworn civilian
Sgt. Anthony Kadous
Anthony Kadous joined the Tucson Police Department in May 1993 when he entered the police academy. Upon his graduation, Tony was assigned Field Training in TPD's Operations Division West. Tony later completed his probationary year and was awarded permanent status in May 1994. He continued to serve the Westside of Tucson through 1998 as both a patrol police officer and a plain-clothes officer working in the ODW Bravo squad. Additionally, while Tony was assigned to ODW, he was recognized for saving a child's life while he was off-duty. Tony and his family were out at a local restaurant when it was discovered that a small child was choking on food. Ultimately, Tony had to perform CPR and the child lived by virtue of his actions.
During the summer of 1998, Tony was transferred to a special assignment the Operations Division East Bike squad. He remained there receiving numerous memorandums of appreciation until he accepted another assignment to the Academy Class Counselor position at the Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy teaching and mentoring police recruits.
In February 2000 Tony was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant. He completed his supervisory probation in Operations Division South. In 2004, Tony was awarded the Chief's Citation of Excellence award for having displayed much courage and excellent operational control over a situation involving a man firing a gun wildly inside a home where small children were in jeopardy.
In November of 2007 Tony transferred to Operations Division Downtown where he remains at this time having supervised the Front Desk & Station Security Detail and the Prisoner Transportation Unit, which he helped get implemented.
Sgt. Jeffrey Mockbee
Jeff Mockbee joined the Tucson Police Department in July 1997 when he entered the police academy. Upon his graduation, he was assigned to Field Training in TPD's Operations Division South. Jeff successfully completed his probationary year there as a rookie police officer and was later awarded permanent status with the TPD in July 1998. Jeff remained in ODS and proudly served the south side of Tucson until the summer of 2000, when he was appointed to serve as an Academy Class Counselor for brand new police recruit officers.
Then later that same summer, Jeff was transferred to his first special assignment, which was the School Resource Officer program. There Jeff worked with many youngsters, who attend our public schools in an attempt to build positive long lasting relationships. From a review of his personnel jacket, Jeff received many accolades from youth and staff members at the schools he served in. Further, in March 3, 2001, Jeff received notable recognition from his Division Commander for taking charge of a potentially deadly situation at Safford Elementary School. That day, work crews struck and ruptured a high-pressure natural gas line on the grounds, which immediately placed all 750 children and staff at risk. An administrator at the school commented that Jeff's "presence and cool headedness were instrumental in the quick and safe evacuation of the school."
Thereafter, Jeff continued to work hard and improve upon his craft, by successfully completing courses of instruction at Hostage Negotiations, General Instructor and Basic Detective School, Forensic Interview and Death Investigation schools. Jeff was then promoted to the rank of Police Detective in October 2003, where he served in the Violent Crimes and Internal Affairs Sections.
In April 2007, Jeff was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant and he currently serves the TPD by supervising field personnel in the Operations Division South.
The above is who Jeff is on paper, but what is not on paper is the sheer amount of people he has personally touched through his years serving as Chaplain for the TPD. Jeff is recognized and licensed minister and he has tirelessly volunteered to help police department family and friends through many difficult times. He has personally officiated many funerals for department members and well as been deeply involved with grieving survivors during those times where TPD has experienced a line of duty death and or other serious critical incident involving police department members and families. In short, Jeff spends each of his days looking out for others who may be in need or distress and he does it in a very low-key, unassuming and unsung manner.
Behavioral Science Unit — Dr. Luz Cornell, Sergeant James Kirk and Sergeant Lee McNitt
The Behavioral Sciences Unit (BSU) offers a variety of programs and services to Department members and their families, such as the Peer Support Program, Critical Incident Stress Debriefings and Crisis Intervention. In addition, BSU offers referral assistance to Department employees. The three-member unit, led by a Clinical Psychologist and two sworn sergeants, provides invaluable service to the Department and its employees.
Law enforcement is one of the most exciting, rewarding, yet stressful occupations a person can engage in. This year has been an emotionally difficult and tragic one for the Tucson Police Department. Fortunately, BSU has been at the forefront of the healing and recovery process.
The year marked the one-year-anniversary of the murder of Officer Erik Hite and the beginning of court proceedings for his accused killer. In 2009, we had eight officer-involved shootings. Most recently, two uniformed officers, who interrupted a home invasion, were lucky to survive an attack by heavily armed suspects. In 2009, five of our valued employees passed away unexpectedly. The City of Tucson's financial crisis and the staffing shortages have created feelings of anxiety and uncertainty for many employees. Thank goodness we have the services of professionals such as Dr. Luz Cornell, Sergeant James Kirk and Sergeant Lee McNitt to help us get through these difficult times.
Dr. Luz Cornell is a clinical psychologist, consultant, and trainer with over 17 years of experience working with public safety personnel. She earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Psychology and Sociology/Anthropology from Florida International University in 1989. After completing her doctorate degree from Nova Southeastern University, she joined the Miami-Dade Police Department as a Police Psychologist. Dr. Cornell's expertise was in providing counseling to individuals, couples, and families experiencing a wide range of stressors. She also provided crisis intervention and critical incident debriefings following police shootings, on-duty deaths and various traumatic police situations. Dr. Cornell debriefed and counseled personnel affected by large-scale incidents including Hurricane Andrew, ValuJet Flight 592 plane crash and the World Trade Center attacks. She was a consultant for various specialized investigative units and the Hostage Negotiation Team.
In 1999, Dr. Cornell joined a private law enforcement consultation firm in Miami. Her practice included providing counseling, pre-employment psychological screenings of police, correctional, and firefighter applicants, fitness-for-duty evaluations and consultation with police administrators. She was often consulted for her vast expertise in the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and its treatment. Additionally, she developed and implemented stress management and other group training programs. We are very fortunate to have someone with Dr. Cornell's credentials, experience, and character working in the Department.
MEDAL OF MERIT — 1996
UNIT CITATION — 1998
UNIT MEDAL — 2000
COP CITATION OF EXCELLENCE — 2004
MEDAL OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE — 2007
Sergeant Jim Kirk joined the Tucson Police Department in November of 1988. Jim has been a member of the Behavioral Science Unit since June of 2006 and previous to that worked in the Burglary Unit, Bike Unit, Surveillance and Uniform patrol. Jim's broad police experience coupled with his easy-going personality and sincerity makes him an excellent Peer Support Counselor. Dedication to family and friends defines Sergeant Kirk. While assisting an employee, who had suffered a traumatic incident, Jim took it upon himself to take care of the employee's residence including caring for the pets and handling the household chores. Jim spent a weekend, of his personal time, finishing a garage project that the employee was unable to complete. Jim made daily visits, brought food and news from the office but most importantly Jim extended a hand of friendship and caring. Sgt. Kirk does what all of us in law enforcement say we want to do. He truly enriches the lives of others.
Sergeant Lee McNitt joined the Tucson Police Department in February 1990. Lee has been a member of the Behavioral Science Unit since October 2008. Lee's previous assignments include Backgrounds Supervisor, CRT supervisor, Academy, and Patrol. Lee's empathic and non-judgmental character has served him well in his current assignment as a Peer Support Counselor. Lee takes pride in his new assignment and has become the unit's go-to-person when it comes to funerals.
"There is nothing more important that I can do — than represent the Department for our employees and their loved ones in a respectful and dignified manner." — Sgt. Lee McNitt.
Lee is an avid Green Bay Packers fan and fitness aficionado.
Mrs. Marcia "Corky" Shields — non-sworn civilian
Mrs. Marcia "Corky" Shields was born in Portland, Maine. Her father served in the United States Army and as a result, Corky and her family moved frequently. During her childhood she lived in France and New York City among other places. He family settled in Tucson, Arizona when Corky was in the 6th grade. She graduated from Amphitheater High School and attended the University of Arizona, Pima Community College, and Chandler-Gilbert Community College. She will be completing her associate's degree in Criminal Justice in the near future. She has also completed numerous courses specific to her job as crime analyst.
Corky and her husband Kin have three children, Rebecca, Jessica and Joe. They also have four grandchildren, Brayden, Bailey, Pete, and Audrey. Kin is a retired Civil Engineer and due to his work in heavy construction, their family has lived all over the United States and spent twelve years living in Saudi Arabia. This allowed Corky and her family to travel around the world and visit twenty-seven countries. The travel helped the family realize how fortunate they were to be living in the United States, the greatest country in the world.
Corky and her husband are currently building their dream home. This task takes a great deal of Corky's off-duty time. When she is not working on her dream home, she enjoys spoiling her grandchildren, conducting computer research pertaining to her family's history, traveling, hiking, working on stained glass, and she would like to learn to oil paint.
When Corky and her family have the time, they volunteer at the local Community Food Bank, Gospel Rescue Mission, and Casa de los Ninos. When her children were younger, Corky was a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout co-leader, and Summer Sunday School teacher.
Corky began her career with the Tucson Police Department as a Clerk-Transcriptionist in July of 1993. She was assigned to the Family and Youth Services Section until May of 2000. She was then promoted to Secretary and assigned to the Internal Affairs Division. In October of 2000, she tested and was promoted to Crime Analyst. She was assigned to the Property Crimes Division until August of 2008. She currently serves as a Criminal Analyst assigned to the Special Investigations Division Organized Crime Squad. Corky has been a member of the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts, Inc since 2000. Her field of expertise focuses on crime mapping, firearms identification, and flow-charting.