FRANKFORT, Ind. – Officer Zachary Nichols and Captain Cesar Muñoz were presented with department awards for their involvement in separate incidents during 2021. Both officers received their awards from Mayor Sheets and Chief Shoemaker at a meeting of the Board of Public Works and Safety on Monday, January 24, 2022.
According to Chief Shoemaker, On August 12, 2021, Captain Muñoz along with officers from the Frankfort Police Department and Clinton County Sheriff’s Office were searching for a suicidal individual. Once the individual was located with a firearm to their chest, Captain Muñoz quickly and decisively established phone communications with the individual. His compassionate actions saved the life of the individual. The individual told FPD that, without Captain Muñoz’s actions that evening, they would not be here today.
On August 26, 2021, Officer Zachary Nichols responded to a report of a male on top of a roof who was in crisis. After hours of unsuccessful negotiations, the individual made an attempt to harm themselves. Officer Nichols quickly accessed the roof where the individual attempted to push Officer Nichols off the roof. Officer Nichols deployed his taser and leaped over the roof pitch to grab a hold of the individual to protect them from falling off the roof. The roof shingles were extremely hot and the individual continued to resist. Based on the heroic actions of Officer Nichols, the individual was safely taken back to the hospital without serious injury.
“Captain Muñoz and Officer Nichols used their training, skills and dedication in these very critical situations to save each of these lives or to prevent serious injury from a fall. In recognition of their courageous actions, professionalism and caring commitment, we are proud to present these awards to them,” Shoemaker said.
Officer Nichols is also the 2021 Frankfort Police Officer of the Year. He has been instrumental in the purchase of our new firearms, SWAT equipment and has modernized our training program. With all of that, he has been a very active officer in the patrol division.
Munoz joined the Frankfort Police Department on September 10, 2012 and Nichols on April 23, 2018.
Frankfort Police Officer Zachary Nichols (left) and Captain Cesar Muñoz were presented with department awards for their involvement in separate incidents during 2021 during the Board of Public Works and Safety on Monday, January 22, 2022. (Photos provided by Frankfort Police Department)
