Melvindale Police Det. Sgt. Mitchell Heaney (third from left) is presented with the Chief’s Award and Officer Mumenur Jesan (fifth from left) is presented with the Lifesaving Award during the Aug. 19 Melvindale city council meeting.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
MELVINDALE – Three police officers were recognized and a new civilian police service aide was introduced by Police Chief Chris Egan during the Aug. 19 city council meeting.
Detective Sergeant Mitchell Heaney was presented with the Chief’s Award for his investigative work that resulted in the identification and conviction of three people involved in a murder.
A young man was shot and killed May 9, 2024 in the area of Seaway and Outer drives. With few leads, Heaney built a case from the ground up, using determination and persistence to develop critical investigative leads to get justice for the victim and his family.
Heaney reviewed surveillance camera footage, did digital forensic analysis, and coordinated with investigators from multiple agencies.
Digital forensic analysis can include solving traditional crimes by tracking electronic data from digital devices, like text messages and GPS data, at a given time and location.
Egan said Heaney sacrificed personal time to make sure no lead went unexplored.
The police chief also recognized Officer Mumenur Jesan with the Lifesaving Award as a result of his actions on April 23, 2026 in which he saved a stabbing victim with life-threatening injuries.
Jesan applied a tourniquet and chest seal, controlling the severe bleeding until emergency medical services arrived.
Medical personnel said that without the officer’s prompt actions, the victim would not have survived.
Egan said Jesan demonstrated exceptional courage, composure and professionalism under pressure.
The chief also recognized Officer Rick McGuffey for his work as a Quick Response Team and Face Addiction Now coordinator, and introduced new civilian Police Service Aide Tony Kiser, who is an Army veteran and a photographer.
Egan said McGuffey is starting an overdose response team and he is starting quick response team training for overdose responders.