Bend PD officer honored for Special Olympics work

The Bend Police Department is are proud to announce that Bend Police Officer Kecia Weaver is the recipient of the 2012 Ken Davis Unsung Hero Award. This award honors one person each year that has put forth much effort and excellence into the Special Olympics.

The award recognizes a person such as Officer Weaver who has not done this for recognition, but rather for the love of the Athletes. Officer Weaver would tell you that alone is enough reward.

Officer Weaver received several nominations, including one from Joel Goodwin of the Corvallis Police Department. In his nomination, Joel credits Weaver with being a driving force behind the success of the Polar Plunge in Bend, which has in turn provided a foundation for all of the Polar Plunges in Oregon.

She has led the Law Enforcement Torch Run effort in Central Oregon which includes heading up Tip-A-Cop, working with local Special Olympics Oregon athletes, handing out Special Olympics medals at competitions and just about anything else she is asked to do.

Officer Weaver has been the Bend Police Department Liaison with the Special Olympics for approximately ten years. Officer Weaver has organized and participated in a number of various Special Olympic events over those years. This year Officer Weaver assisted in organizing the Polar Plunge, Tip-A-Cop, presenting awards at the Winter Special Olympics and she is an assistant coach with the High Desert golf team.

Officer Kecia Weaver received this award on Saturday, July 14 at the State Summer Games in Newberg. This was also the conclusion of the 2012 Torch Run. There were numerous officers, citizens and Special Olympic Athletes at the ceremonies. The ceremonies welcomed over 1500 Special Olympics Oregon athletes into the stadium.

Officer Weaver has been with the Bend Police Department for over 13 years and has served in the capacity as a Patrol Officer, School Resource Officer, Field Training Officer, Crisis Negotiator with the Central Oregon S.W.A.T. Team and a member of the Crisis Intervention Team.

In announcing the award, Lt. Paul Kansky wrote, “We, at the Bend Police Department, congratulate Officer Kecia Weaver for her dedication to the Special Olympics. We are pleased and thankful for Officer Kecia Weaver’s dedication to the department and to the community in which she serves.”