When Officer Anthony Waldon heard gunshots from the Classic Lounge, he acted with a swift determination straight from his academy training.
The Toledo police officer was working off-duty parking lot security Feb. 12, 2016, at the 2224 Nebraska Ave. business, and saw a gunman fatally shoot a man in the chest. He immediately chased the gunman until losing him in the dark. Later returning, the gunman ran toward Officer Waldon and refused to drop his weapon.
Officer Waldon shot the gunman and placed him under arrest. That man was later convicted of murder.
PHOTO GALLERY: Toledo officer earns Medal of Valor award
“Believe it or not, a million thoughts went through my mind probably within a minute. Kids, family, wife, the job, everything,” Officer Waldon said.
For his service at great risk of danger, Toledo police officials presented Officer Waldon the Medal of Valor award, the department’s highest for an officer. It was a special recognition for the man who wanted to be a police officer since he was a child.
Officers Eric Macek and George Stauch also earned Distinguished Service medals during the department’s annual award ceremony at Toledo City Council chambers. The two responded to a Dec. 16 fire in the 1400 block of Colton Street. They safely removed a resident who could not leave his chair.
The smoke was so thick Officer Stauch could not see more than 6 inches ahead. His efforts to take and hold a deep breath quickly evaporated.
“Well, your heart rate is racing so much that as soon as you get in there, you let the breath out and then you start coughing immediately. It’s scary. Everything’s on fire,” he said.
The department’s other award winners were:
● Certificates of appreciation: Terry Norris and Keith Riley.
● Letters of recognition: Officers Thomas Corser, Patrick Myslinski, Robert Kay, Scott Mills, Christopher Evans, Derek Cranford, and Jeremy Thomas; and Sergeant Daniel Raab.
● Professional Service Award: Officers Todd Babcock, Robert Kay, Kathleen Mohr, Donald O’Brien, Tanja Farrell, Clifton Kizer, Anthony Moore, Robert Orwig and Brian Young; Detective Christopher Boudreaux; Sergeants Robert Lehman, Wayne Phillips, Christopher Scoble, Erik Welling, Ward Lemke and Eric Sweat; and Lieutenants Matthew Bombrys and Kelli Russell.
● Civilian Employee of the Year: Julie Rydman.
● Officer of the Year: Detective Peter Swartz.
● Command Officer of the Year: Sergeant Steven Lamb.
In the afternoon, officials held the Toledo Area Police Memorial Service at the memorial garden in the Civic Center Mall downtown. The service included an invocation, roll call of fallen officers, and memorial 21-gun salute.
Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson said those gathered wish to honor first responders for giving their lives in service.
“We are grateful and we stand in solidarity to pay tribute to these extraordinary individuals whose stories of valor, service are testimony and a testament to their devotion and dedication in protecting our community and our citizens,” the mayor said.
This was the first memorial event for attendee Gail Weller. Her father, Officer Ed Grubinski, spent more than 30 years with Toledo police. He retired in 1993 and died about five years ago, she said.
Mrs. Weller, 63, of Sylvania spoke with pride of her father’s career and appreciation for the role police play. The Toledo Police Department is a welcoming one, she said.
“It’s such a family, and they’re so welcoming. I just feel like I’ve really been brought into that family, and I’m incredibly proud, beyond words, to be part of that,” Mrs. Weller said.
Contact Ryan Dunn at: rdunn@theblade.com, 419-724-6095, or on Twitter @rdunnblade.
First Published May 13, 2017, 4:00 a.m.
