Flock Safety is honored to announce the winners of the 2024 #Solved Awards. This award recognizes law enforcement professionals who leverage technology to solve complex cases, demonstrating exceptional bravery, dedication, and strong community partnerships.

Submissions were received from across the country spanning eight different categories. These outstanding law enforcement professionals were nominated by their colleagues for their heroic efforts in the pursuit of solving crime and shaping safer communities. 

The winners are:

Detective Eugene Mefford, Detective Jayson Richardson, & Crime Analyst Jessica Hudson | Volusia Sheriff's Office

Category: Gun Violence: Using Flock technology to solve a gun-related/shooting crime.

Nominated By: Lieutenant David King

Case Details: In August of this year, two victims were seriously injured in a shooting at their home. With few initial leads, Detective Jayson Richardson identified a suspicious vehicle on traffic cameras, leading detectives to uncover the suspect's pattern of traveling weekly from Atlanta to Deltona, swapping tags to avoid detection. Through extensive analysis of traffic cameras and LPRs, detectives tracked the suspect's movements, resulting in an arrest warrant. Using Flock cameras, the suspect was apprehended near Detroit before he could flee. Detectives Richardson, Eugene Mefford, and Crime Analyst Jessica Hudson solved the case within four days, relying heavily on Flock technology to piece together the evidence.

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Detective Joshua Shuford | Garden City Police Department 

Category: Missing Person(s) Case: Using Flock technology to safely locate a missing person.

Nominated By: Captain Lindsey Talley

Case Details: After a mother reported her 15-year-old daughter missing in Georgia, she received a ransom call. Detective Shuford immediately began searching for the girl. A tip from a man who had transported the juvenile led to the identification of a female driver in a white Chevy Tahoe. Using Flock technology and an exigent phone ping request, Det. Shuford tracked the vehicle to Louisiana, where local officials safely located the juvenile en route to Texas. The mother reunited with her unharmed daughter thanks to Detective Shuford’s tenacious investigation and expert use of technology.

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Corporal Joseph VonBank | Gary Police Department

Category: Overwatch and Officer Safety: Using Flock technology to provide overwatch and improved officer safety.

Nominated By: Lieutenant Sam Abegg

Case Details: Earlier this year, after responding to a gunshot victim at a local motel, Cpl. VonBank used Flock LPR technology to identify a suspect vehicle, adding it to a custom hotlist. Shortly after, the vehicle was detected near the crime scene, leading to its interception at a nearby truck stop with the help of the RTCC and a neighboring agency. Two suspects were taken into custody, and a firearm was recovered, showcasing Cpl. VonBank’s dedication to swift and effective law enforcement.

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Sergeant Mark Gerardot, Detective Ryan Nystuen, Detective Amanda Miller, Detective Mike Dickey | Fort Wayne PD

Officer Clay Martin, Officer Andrew Martin, Officer Justin Luckey, and Officer Ethan Pasternak | Elkhart Police Department

Category: Inter-Agency Collaboration: Using Flock technology to solve a crime across multiple agencies, or jurisdictions.

Nominated By: Detective John Greenlee

Case Details: In August 2024, an individual traveled from Michigan to Indiana for a drug deal that turned into a robbery and homicide. After the suspect committed a fatal shooting, witnesses provided his license plate number to Detective Mike Dickey. Detectives A. Miller and R. Nystuen entered the plate into Flock, tracking the vehicle’s movements and creating a hotlist alert. As the suspect and his accomplice headed back to Michigan, a Flock camera in Indiana flagged their vehicle, enabling Elkhart Police to intercept them less than two hours after the shooting. Flock's LPR technology played a crucial role in the quick apprehension, evidence collection, and coordination with multiple agencies.

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Staff Sergeant Brian Kaase | Beaufort County Sheriff's Office

Category: Community Engagement—Using Flock technology via public/private community partnerships to solve crime.

Nominated By: Patrolman First Karl Weinberg

Case Details: A Flock alert led Sgt. Kaase, who was off duty at the time, to a fugitive wanted for a serious offense. With assistance from a nearby lieutenant, he quickly located the vehicle and coordinated the arrest, leading to the suspect's capture and crucial evidence collection. The timely apprehension was made possible through Sgt. Kaase’s proactive use of Flock’s alert system and his aunwavering dedication to keeping his community safe, even when off duty.

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Detective Emma T. Barden | Powhatan County Sheriff's Office

Category: Expert use of Flock Tools: Using Flock technology frequently to solve crime and shape a safer community.

Nominated By: Lieutenant Marilyn N. Durham

Case Details: Detective Emma Barden played a pivotal role in bringing Flock Safety technology to the Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office. Even before the cameras were fully operational, she quickly mastered the system, saving critical search results during a breaking and entering investigation. A month later, those saved results helped link a suspect vehicle to the case. In the past year, Det. Barden’s expertise with the Flock system has led to a series of successful outcomes, including locating a missing person, aiding in the apprehension of multiple shoplifters, and solving cases involving grand larceny, counterfeit money, hit-and-runs, and more. 

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Deputy Doug Hicks | Spokane County Sheriff's Office

Category: Full City Coverage Solved: Using multiple Flock products in tandem to solve a crime. 

Nominated By: Dustin Baunsgard

Case Details: A Flock alert led Spokane County deputies to a vehicle linked to a drive-by shooting suspect. Thanks to real-time camera integration through the Spokane Sentinel program, Deputies Doug Hicks and Overbay monitored the vehicle until additional support arrived. While the suspect wasn’t found, evidence related to the shooting was discovered, and a passenger with an outstanding warrant was arrested. Deputy Hicks has effectively leveraged Flock technology, leading to 16 arrests, recovery of 10 stolen vehicles, and the location of a missing person.

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Katie Johnston, Tactical Analyst | Spokane County Sheriff's Office

Category: Real-Time Policing in Action: Using Flock technology to successfully respond to a crime in progress.

Nominated By: Dustin Baunsgard

Case Details: Spokane County Sheriff’s Office RTCC Tactical Analyst Katie Johnston played a crucial role in apprehending a domestic violence suspect. After the suspect fled the scene, Johnston used Flock LPR cameras to track the vehicle’s direction and combined this with information from social media and a business license search to pinpoint the suspect’s likely location. Her insights led patrol deputies to the suspect’s employer, where the suspect was apprehended for Assault 4 DV. This is just one of many instances where Johnston’s expertise with Flock and other resources has enabled deputies to quickly locate and arrest violent suspects. She also manages the deployment of Flock field assets, including Falcon Flex cameras and mobile LPR units, highlighting her dedication to the success of the SCSO RTCC Flock program.

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‍David Sparks, Senior Crime & Intel Analyst | Albany Police Department‍

Category: Flock Power Partner

Details: David Sparks, Senior Crime and Intelligence Analyst, has demonstrated exceptional dedication to leveraging technology in solving complex cases in Albany. In 2019, after a homicide at a local mobile home park, Flock cameras captured a clear image of the suspect’s vehicle, leading to a quick arrest. More recently, the system helped track down a suspect involved in a shooting by identifying their vehicle’s tag. “Flock being the glue, it brings it all together,” shared Sparks, emphasizing how this tool accelerates investigations while maintaining community trust through transparency and open communication.

Watch: Flock Cameras Enhance Crime-Fighting Efforts in Albany

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Detective Jordan Laverty | Dunwoody Police Department

Category: Flock Power Partner

Details: Detective Laverty from the Dunwoody Police Department leveraged Flock Safety's technology to apprehend a jewelry robbery crew operating along the East Coast, in partnership with a federal agency. After receiving a tip from a federal agency about a planned heist in their jurisdiction, Detective Laverty utilized Flock’s network of LPR cameras to identify an unknown secondary vehicle traveling alongside the primary suspect's car. This crucial discovery allowed law enforcement to coordinate a safe takedown, apprehending all suspects without endangering the public. “It would have been chasing a needle in a haystack if we didn't have the camera system,” he noted.

Watch: Dunwoody Detective Utilizes Flock Data to Prevent Potentially Dangerous Heist

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Detective Geovanny Ramirez | White Settlement Police Department

Category: Flock Power Partner

Details: Detective Ramirez of the White Settlement Police Department uses Flock as an essential tool in his daily operations. In one incident, he used Flock's cameras to keep track of a suspect with multiple warrants, providing vital updates to officers on the scene. During the arrest, Detective Ramirez spotted a second individual sprinting toward the officers and was able to warn them just in time, preventing a potentially dangerous situation. His story highlights the critical role of Flock in ensuring officer safety.

Watch: White Settlement's Detective Ramirez Enhances Officer Safety Through Technology

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Officer Bernard Talps & Officer Shawn Shuff | Cobb County Police Department

Category: Flock Power Partner

Details: Officer Talps and Officer Shuff of the Cobb County Police Department are recognized for their quick action in apprehending a wanted individual with a warrant for aggravated assault. Using information provided by the Flock system, officers were able to locate and safely detain the individual. Their swift response not only prevented further potential violence but also ensured the safety of the community by getting the suspect off the streets sooner.

Watch: #Solved: Cobb County Officers Leverage the Flock System to Detain Dangerous Suspect

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Detective Matt Myers | O’Fallon Police Department

Category: Flock Power Partner

Details: In January 2023, a home in O'Fallon, Missouri, became the target of a terrifying late-night home invasion by four armed individuals. Fortunately, an officer from O’Fallon PD was already on his way to the area after a Flock camera alerted him to a stolen vehicle in the neighborhood. This swift response allowed officers to apprehend the suspects, bringing some relief and resolution to the impacted family. Reflecting on the case, Detective Matt Myers of O'Fallon PD shared, “Without Flock, there would have been no way to charge somebody. It probably would have went unsolved.” Erin Schatteman added, “Flock really was the reason why everything came together so perfectly in a very imperfect situation.”

Watch: Swift Police Response Brings Relief After Harrowing O'Fallon Home Invasion

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Congratulations to this year’s winners, and thank you for your unwavering commitment to leveraging Flock technology to ensure the safety of your communities.