This month’s Cleveland Police Foundation’s Police Officers of the Month are Sgt. Teresa Gomez and Detective T.J. Powell of the Homicide Unit. They investigated a horrific crime involving a child left alone for 10 days, where they not only made an arrest but also spoke on behalf of the 16-month-old angel at the perpetrator’s sentencing. Both officers stepped up and advocated for the victim with heartfelt speeches when none of her family showed up.
I asked Lt. James Bryant, these officers’ immediate supervisor, about this incident. He stated, “Make no mistake about it, Sgt. Teresa Gomez and Detective TJ Powell are heroes every day. This case just happened to get more attention than the many other cases they handle every year. As veteran members of the Cleveland Homicide Unit, they see the absolute worst of our society yet continue to give us their absolute best. They don’t just investigate; they advocate and fight for the most vulnerable among us, often putting aside their own feelings of sadness and disbelief to be the best in our field.
This case is especially difficult for our members, as many of us are also parents and grandparents. It is unimaginable that someone could do this to anyone, especially their own child. When there was no one to speak for this child, Sgt. Gomez and Detective Powell went above and beyond to be a voice for her and see that justice was served on her behalf. This is just another reminder that members of the Cleveland Division of Police are not just protectors, but also your family, friends, neighbors, and community members. Thank you, Sgt. Gomez and Detective Powell, for your continued exemplary work and dedication to our community.”
It is because of their compassion for their work and devotion to the community they serve that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name Sgt. Teresa Gomez and Detective TJ Powell our Police Officers of the Month for June 2024.
– Bob Guttu, CPF
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About the Police Officer of the Month Program
The Cleveland Police Foundation – in partnership with the Cleveland Division of Police, Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association, and the Fraternal Order of Police Cleveland Lodge 8 – is proud of the Police Officer of the Month program. The program’s purpose is to recognize members of the Cleveland Division of Police who not only perform their duties in an exemplary and extraordinary manner, but also excel in efforts that are consistent with a major tenet of the CPF’s mission to strengthen the bonds between citizens and police officers… building bridges, creating opportunities for dialogue, and forging positive relationships within the community.
Already aware that officers in the Cleveland Division of Police routinely go out of their way to help their fellow citizens, committee members are not surprised by the large number of candidates. With so many outstanding officers, selecting one recipient per month proved to be a somewhat daunting task.
When asked why bestow these awards, CPF Executive Director Charles W. Lane, Jr. states, “In today’s busy world, while some deeds may seem fairly insignificant, we hold out hope that such random acts of kindness may have a significant impact on a person’s life. Even if not, it’s nice to know that our police officers do for others what they would want someone else to do for a member of their family if the opportunity presented itself.”
Police officers across this great country perform similar deeds day-in and day-out, with little fanfare and really not seeking, nor even wanting recognition. We commend these officers for their compassion and personal commitment to making our city a better place to live.