Two SLTPD officers earn Meritorious Service awards at South Lake Tahoe ceremony

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During their annual awards ceremony on Thursday, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) honored two of their officers for their response to a shooting on June 30. 2018.

SLTPD officers Derek Simon and Anton Kushlan earned the "Meritorious Service" award for selfless acts in the wake of a shooting.

On June 30 Officer Simon was the first person on the scene of a shooting in front of a trailer park at the "Y" in South Lake Tahoe. When he arrived he found the victim in the street and immediately went into action to try and save the man's life. The scene was an active one with the shooter in a home across the street from where the victim lay in the street, fighting for his life. Simon's focus was on giving care without regard for his own safety according to Sgt. Travis Cabral, the emcee for the ceremony.

Officer Anton Kushlan was the second officer to arrive at the same shooting. With the shooter still in the nearby home, Kushlan rushed to help the victim, 44-year-old Christopher Kitchen. Knowing time was short, Kushlan put Kitchen into his vehicle and moved him to a safe place where medics could take over and get the victim to the hospital.

This is the second consecutive year Kushlan was honored for his bravery. In 2018 he was recognized for being part of the team that apprehended a man who was shooting in a neighborhood behind a gym on Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe. Kushlan is the current on-campus officer at South Tahoe High School.

SLTPD honors the service of the men and women of the department annually during National Police Week. Families, friends, and the community take part in the celebration.