HPD Officers Promoted, Inducted Into “Survivors Club”

April 5, 2010 - Acting Houston Police Chief Charles A. McClelland today (April 5) hosted a promotions and induction ceremony at the L.D. Morrison Sr. Training Academy, 17000 Aldine Westfield.

One sergeant was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and eight officers to the rank of sergeant. Additionally, Chief McClelland presented awards to two officers on behalf of the International Association of Chiefs of Police/DuPont Kevlar Survivors’ Club. Photos of the event are attached to this news release.

Officer Kwami Ahiabor, assigned to the Southwest Patrol Division, and Senior Police Officer Patrick F. Siddons, assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division, suffered potentially fatal injuries while in the line of duty. Because their bullet-resistant vests saved their lives, Officers Ahiabor and Siddons were honored and inducted into the IACP/DuPont Kevlar Survivors’ Club.

Chief McClelland said, “You can’t pick and choose when an emergency is going to happen or when you’re going to need it. Because our officers do wear it, we can avoid some of those unfortunate situations where officers are killed or seriously wounded in the line of duty,” the Chief said.

The IACP/DuPont Kevlar Survivors' Club consists of officers who have survived potentially fatal and/or disabling injuries through the use of body armor, and pays tribute to those who have the foresight to “Dress for Survival." The International Association of Chiefs of Police and DuPont started the IACP/DuPont Kevlar Survivors' Club in 1987. Since then, more than 3,000 individuals working in law enforcement have survived both ballistic and non-ballistic incidents because they were wearing body armor.

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.