Leavenworth Police Department names Officer of the Year

After almost nine years with the Leavenworth Police Department, Officer Steven Brandau said there’s not much he doesn’t enjoy about his job.

And Brandau now has another reason to like his job. He’s been named the Police Department’s Officer of the Year.

He was surprised with the honor Monday during the department’s annual awards ceremony. The ceremony coincides each year with National Police Week.

“I was a little shocked,” Brandau said of learning he’d been chosen for the award.

Leavenworth Police Chief Pat Kitchens said Brandau is someone who always can be called upon for any kind of work. The chief noted that Brandau is the department’s K-9 officer as well as a member of the Special Weapons And Tactics team. He also helps the drug unit.

“He is just amazing,” Kitchens said.

Brandau said he enjoys the quality of people he works with and the friendships he’s developed while serving as a Leavenworth police officer. He also noted that his job allows him to take a dog with him to work.

The Leavenworth Police Department also names a Civilian Employee of the Year. The award is named after Jane McDonald, a former employee of the department.

This year, the award went to Juanita Sanderson, who works for the Police Department as a dispatcher.

Sanderson said she’s been with the department for a little more than three years.

“I like the opportunity it gives me to help others,” she said of her job.

Kitchens said dispatching may be the most underrated job in public safety.

“Juanita is as rock solid as they come,” he said.

He said Sanderson has demonstrated her skills as a dispatcher countless times during the last year.

Other awards presented Monday honored Police Department employees for actions during specific incidents.

In addition to awards presented to employees, a letter of commendation was awarded to Robert Frost. Frost had called police last year, asking that they check on a neighbor who turned out to be suffering from a diabetic seizure.

There also was a tribute to Richard Coldren, the last Leavenworth police officer killed in the line of duty. Kitchens said March 19 had marked the 55th anniversary of Coldren’s death.