Officers Earn Highest Police Honors

Two officers on the Novato police force earned standing ovations Tuesday night during the Novato City Council meeting when they were given the highest awards doled out by the department for heroic actions.

Before a crowd of fellow officers at Novato City Hall, Officer Steve Cogan was awarded the Medal of Valor, the highest honor given out by the Novato Police Department. Cogan, in his 27th year with the force, earned the award for a “performance that far exceeds the department’s expectations” by rescuing a trapped driver from a burning car.

Officer Duaine Labno, who successfully negotiated the surrender of a suicidal man, was awarded the Medal of Merit, the force’s second-highest honor. Labno, in his fourth year with NPD, earned an award designated for those who distinguished themselves by performing in stressful situations with exceptional tactics and/or judgment.

Check out the accompanying video to hear Mayor Denise Athas describe more details about the actions of Cogan and Labno.