The North Miami Police Department’s “Officers of the Month” for November 2009. Sergeant Patricia Fishel nominated them after recognizing their teamwork, vigilance and dedication to duty in the following case:

On October 17, 2009, Officer Blanchard was working a Special Enforcement detail when he observed a vehicle speeding on N.W. 135 Street near N.W. 2 Avenue. He stopped the vehicle and as he approached on foot, the driver of the vehicle sped away in an attempt to elude Officer Blanchard. Officer immediately and calmly advised on the radio that the vehicle had fled. With the assistance of Officer Nelson Seda, the vehicle was again stopped at N.W. Miami Court and N.W. 135 Street and the driver was immediately arrested for traffic offenses. While officers were still on the scene, Detective Gaudio responded to assist. Detective Gaudio observed the driver’s identification card and noted that the subject matched the description of a wanted subject for a homicide that occurred on April 19, 2007, in which the victim was brutally shot to death in front of his children. The lead homicide detective was immediately contacted and interviewed the subject. The subject was then arrested for the 2007 homicide.

As a result of great teamwork, and calm and professional actions, a subject who committed first degree murder was apprehended and a two year-old case finally closed.

Officer Blanchard and Detective Gaudio were selected as Officers of the Month for November 2009 and will be honored at the Greater North Miami Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at Noon.

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - MAY 2009 - MICHAEL GAUDIO

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - JUNE 2009 - ALANZO RHYMER

• "OFFICERS OF THE MONTH" - JULY 2009 - JEANITE AND BRYANT

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - AUGUST 2009 - JAMES MESIDOR

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - SEPTEMBER 2009 - JODLYN ANTOINE

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - OCTOBER 2009 - DUHAMEL JEANITE

• "OFFICERS OF THE MONTH" - JANUARY 2010 - OFFICERS JAMES STUART AND WILLE WALDEN