Two members of the Midland Police Department’s K9 Unit have been nominated for the City of Midland’s Be the Energy (BTE) Award.
According to a February 22 Facebook post, Sergeant Taylor Welch and K9 officer Travo were recognized for their efforts in apprehending a suspect at the Midland International Air & Space Port. "Their dedication, skill, and teamwork perfectly exemplify what it means to ‘Be the Energy!’" the post said. "Thanks to their outstanding performance, they are more than deserving of this recognition."
Midland Times reported that on January 28, MPD officers arrested a 29-year-old man at MAF following a vehicle pursuit. The suspect, identified as Randy Lee Gutierrez, allegedly stole a white 2020 Ford pickup truck from a parking lot at Main Street and Missouri Avenue in downtown Midland. According to the publication, the truck's owner had installed a GPS tracker inside the vehicle, which allowed officers to provide its location to the Midland County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff's deputies subsequently located the truck, which allegedly drove through the perimeter fence at MAF and onto the runways. Police chased Gutierrez before arresting and charging him with evading in a motor vehicle, evading arrest, duty on striking a fixture, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
The BTE accolade takes its name from the city's motto. The city first distributed these awards in December 2023 to employees who helped reduce costs associated with demolishing abandoned buildings.