Animal Control Officer to be Presented with Police Chief’s Award

FROM CITY PRESS RELEASE: "On January 27, 2011 at 11 a.m. in the City Hall Gallery, City of Gaithersburg Animal Control Officer Jorge Esmieu will be presented with the Police Chief’s Award in recognition of quick and decisive off-duty actions taken during an incident in early January. 

On January 4, 2011 officers from the Gaithersburg Police and the Montgomery County Police 6th district station responded to the 800 block of Trotter's Ridge Lane for the report of shots fired.  Esmieu, who was exiting the apartment building, observed a female standing on the steps with a gun in one hand and a loaded magazine in the other.  Esmieu approached the female from behind and disarmed her.  It was later discovered that she was the same person who fired a shot inside the residence a few minutes earlier.  Upon their arrival, police officers took the subject into custody and transported her to an area hospital for an Emergency Evaluation. The subject was delusional and under the influence of prescription medications and was committed for further evaluation.                                      

A City employee for more than 15 years, Esmieu has worked for the Animal Control Division since 2000.  His responsibilities include enforcing Gaithersburg’s animal control codes, investigating, answering complaints and capturing wild or stray animals, impounding abandoned or stray animals, rescuing animals that are trapped, lost or injured, inspecting pet environments for humane conditions, and issuing warnings and citations if necessary.  In recognition of outstanding municipal service, Esmieu received the 2007 Ronald B. Sweitzer Maryland Municipal Employee of the Year Award presented by the Maryland City/County Management Association of the Maryland Municipal League."