Awards
Accreditations and Recognitions
Award Announcement
The UT Police 14th Annual Promotions and Awards Ceremony celebrated exceptional service, leadership and dedication across the division, bringing together more than 150 attendees during National Police Week and Employee Appreciation Month. The event recognized over 40 individuals whose achievements reflect a strong commitment to public safety within one of the nation’s most complex healthcare environments. From career advancements and educational milestones to life-saving actions and innovative problem-solving, each honor underscored the professionalism, integrity and compassion demonstrated daily by UT Police personnel. Through leadership, mentorship and collaborative partnerships, awardees exemplify the values that strengthen the organization and support the safety and well-being of the entire MD Anderson community.
Latest Awards - Departmental Recognition
| Award Category | Recipients |
| Civilian Employee of the Year | Vanessa Ortiz, 2026 |
| Investigator of the Year | James Gonzales, 2026 |
| Police Officer of the Year | Jesse Hernandez, 2026 |
| Rookie Police Officer of the Year | Alex Aguinaga, 2026 |
| Public Safety Officer of the Year | Alyssa Tinoco, 2026 |
| Telecommunicator of the Year | Mary Windham, 2026 |
| Supervisor of the Year | Robby Raju, 2026 |
| Leadership Award | AnnaCatherine Roosa, 2026 |
Past Awards
- 2025 Awards
External Awards, UT Police at Houston
- 2025 Sylvia Arrizola, UT MD Anderson Distinguished Mentor Award
- 2025 Security Risk Operations Team, U.S. Outstanding Security Performance Awards, Finalist
- 2025 Armando Viscarri, UT MD Anderson Heart of MD Anderson Award
Departmental Recognition
- 2025 Civilian Employee of the Year - Eric Thacker
- 2025 Investigator of the Year - Johnathan Fraley
- 2025 Public Safety Officer of the Year - Ruben Arnsworth
- 2025 Telecommunicator of the Year - Carol Walker
- 2025 Supervisor of the Year - Brodie Riner
- 2025 Leadership Award - Marvin Radford
- 2025 Police Officer of the Year - Terri Johnson
- 2025 Rookie Police Officer of the Year - Valerie Smith-Williams
- 2024 Awards
External Awards, UT Police at Houston
- 2024 William Adcox, Campus Safety Director of the Year, Finalist
- 2024 Lekan Kolleade, HLSR Armed Forces Committee First Responder of the Year
- 2024 Michael Milner, HLSR Armed Forces Committee First Responder of the Year
- 2024 Philip Nguyen, HLSR Armed Forces Committee First Responder of the Year
- 2024 Brodie Riner, HLSR Armed Forces Committee First Responder of the Year
- 2024 Covell Johnson, UTHealth President's Award for Leadership
- 2024 Isaac Graham, MD Anderson's Staff Educator of the Year
- 2024 Roy Lee, Sr., MD Anderson's May Heart of MD Anderson
- 2024 Roy Williams, IAHSS Soaring Eagle Leadership Award
Departmental Recognition
- 2024 Civilian Employee of the Year - Claudia Garcia
- 2024 Investigator of the Year - Matt Cardenas
- 2024 Public Safety Officer of the Year - Tayelegn Abebe
- 2024 Telecommunicator of the Year - Angel Sanders
- 2024 Supervisor of the Year - Donnia Thompson
- 2024 Leadership Award - Wayne Smith
- 2024 Police Officer of the Year - Jaylin Thornton
- 2024 Rookie Police Officer of the Year - Terri Johnson
- 2023 Awards
External Awards, UT Police at Houston
- 2023 CSO50 Award
- 2023 OSPA Outstanding Security Team Award Finalist
Departmental Recognition
- 2023 Civilian Employee of the Year - Alma Garza
- 2023 Investigator of the Year - Philip Nguyen
- 2023 Public Safety Officer of the Year - Lester Smith
- 2023 Telecommunicator of the Year - Kira Darby
- 2023 Supervisor of the Year - Tito Latiff
- 2023 Leader of the Year - Sylvia Arrizola
- 2022 Awards
External Awards, Individual
- Ray Gerwitz, 2022 Texas Police Chiefs Association Executive Leadership Award
- Robert Haynes, 2022 International Association of Chiefs of Police 40 Under 40
Departmental Recognition
- 2022 Civilian Employee of the Year - Carlos Morales
- 2022 Inspector of the Year - Covell Johnson
- 2022 Investigator of the Year - James Gonzales
- 2022 Public Safety Officer of the Year - David Fox
- 2022 Rookie of the Year - Bethaney Covington
- 2022 Telecommunicator of the Year - Shaleitha Scott
- 2022 Supervisor of the Year - Lt. Justin Taylor
- 2022 Innovation Award - Claudia Garcia | Robert Haynes
- 2021 Awards
External Awards, UT Police at Houston
External Awards, Individual
- Devante James, 2021 Texas Association of College and University Police Administration Larry W. Fultz Memorial Award for Excellence
- Diana Sabater, 2021 IAHSS Houston Local Chapter Commendation of Distinction
- Vicki King, 2021 IACLEA Award for Administrative Excellence
- Raymond Gerwitz, 2021 Campus Safety Director of the Year
- Raul Tenorio, 2021 HLSR Armed Forces Appreciation Committee First Responder of the Year
Departmental Recognition
- 2021 Civilian Employee of the Year - Lamar Pitre
- 2021 Inspector of the Year - Mary Lentshcke
- 2021 Investigator of the Year - Viola Douglas | Carlos Guzman
- 2021 Police Officer of the Year - Keylon LaSalle
- 2021 Public Safety Officer of the Year - Vera Hayes
- 2021 Telecommunicator of the Year - Josselyn Alvarez
MD Anderson Awards
- Elson Ayoub, April 2021 Heart of MD Anderson
- Roberto "Rob" Ramos, 2021 MD Anderson Distinguished Mentor Award
UT System Police Featured Officers of the Month
- 2020 Awards
External Awards, UT Police at Houston
External Awards, Individual
- Jason Lipe, 2020 ASIS Houston Outstanding Security Officer
UTHealth Awards
- Manuel Leston, 2020 President's Award for Leadership
MD Anderson Awards
- Manuel Leston, 2020 MD Anderson Staff Educator of the Year