Tulsa Man Receives Police's Citizen Appreciation Award, Gives Back To Community

A Tulsa man who helped police stop a fleeing suspect this summer is being recognized with TPD’s Citizen Appreciation Award.

The award is given to citizens who, through their actions, help TPD’s effort to serve Tulsa. The man who got the award doesn't want to be recognized or have his name known.

The efforts to serve did not stop the day he helped police. Officers say after they gave the man the award, he had something to give in return.

After a man saw police chasing a suspect, he stepped in to help police make the arrest.

“I don’t strongly encourage it, but occasionally citizens do tend to help us out quite a bit,” Tulsa Police Officer Josh Metcalf said.

He adds that in his 13 years with the department, he’s never seen anything like it.

“I was very thankful for it. I had a heavy leg day a couple days prior,” Metcalf said.

He nominated the man for the department’s Citizen Appreciation Award and presented it to him yesterday, but Metcalf and the department also walked away with gifts.

“He felt it in his heart it’s Christmas time just around the corner. Him and his two boys, they went to the store, bought a bunch of toys, kids toys, brand new, really nice toys,” Metcalf said.

Toys that the department says will help with its Random Acts of Kindness Campaign – which includes giving toys to kids and gift cards to families they encounter during their duties. But that wasn’t all.

“He wanted to give a donation to the Special Olympics of Oklahoma, and he handed me a $1,000 check,” Metcalf said.

The Special Olympics Oklahoma is an organization Metcalf is very passionate about. His patrol car is branded with its logo and events the department participates in, along with athletes, who he and many officers have formed great relationships with.

“I want to help out in any way that I can. I’m just one officer. Tons of squamates, fellow officers that are doing the same thing that I’m doing strictly for that passion, the calling, you’re there to protect and serve,” Metcalf said.

The Special Olympics Oklahoma's Winter Games begin in January, and Metcalf says volunteers are always needed. Click here for more information.