Aurora Police Officer Douglas Rashkow could have just written a report.
Another domestic altercation ending in arrest. The veteran Aurora police officer did much, much more than that, though. He potentially saved a life. He took it upon himself to play Santa, and his humanitarian effort didn’t go unnoticed.
Rashkow was recognized Tuesday as the Aurora Exchange Club’s Officer of the Year for his deeds that December day in 2014.
It started as a typical call. A woman reported that the father of her children had stolen her prescription drugs, beat her up, and then ran off in the 19-degree weather with their kids. The man had outstanding warrants, as well as a handful of drugs, and he was on the run, she said.
Rashkow called the man’s mother and asked if she had heard from her son. Within minutes, the man had spoken with his mother and decided to give Rashkow a call.
Rashkow got the man to admit he was an addict and that he had stolen the drugs, sold them, and taken more than a dozen pills himself, police said. The officer was able to call paramedics and convince the man to seek medical attention which potentially saved his life, according to police.
Because of this feat alone, Rashkow could have been nominated for the Exchange Club honor, but he went beyond his typical call of duty — and that’s what made his efforts stand out, club officials said.
The three children of the man in the case were turned over to their grandmother, and the situation calmed down, but not for Rashkow. After he found out that the children’s grandparents didn’t have enough money for Christmas gifts, Raskhow took it upon himself to purchase them for the family.
He also delivered a check to caretakers to help make their holidays a bit brighter.
“He could have just written a report,” Aurora Police Cmdr. Joe Groom said. “He is commended for not only for his police work, but for his humanitarian efforts as well.”
Former Aurora Police Chief William Powell was the afternoon’s keynote speaker. He took the time to talk about the bad rap law enforcement has received in the media lately.
“What we need to do is get back to humanity,” Powell said. “We need to get away from the ‘us vs. them’ mentality that has existed in law enforcement for many years.”
He pointed to the courageous acts of Rashkow and the club’s two other nominees for Aurora Officer of the Year, Officer Samuel Aguirre and Officer James Brown.
More Top Picks What Color Overlay Works Best For Visual Stress
Aguirre risked his own life to stay with Tollway worker Vincent Petrella, who died after a fiery crash on Interstate 88. Brown was off-duty when he saved an elderly Wisconsin couple from drowning during a severe storm.
Powell said each officer displayed courage, intelligence, confidence, discipline, generosity and kindness.
“Remember, we are only talking today about three incidents, but how many other acts of selflessness are occurring on a daily basis,” Powell told those in attendance. “I stand here today telling you you’re all winners…not just the three of you, but all of the officers and firemen here today.”