Behind the Badge
In December 2019, the Tustin Police Department received a report of a man who was stabbed while walking in his own neighborhood. He passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital.
There was no motive, no suspect, and no witnesses.
It appeared the murder of David Nakaki, 62, was as cold of a case as they come.
Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg congratulates the efforts of the Tustin PD team that received the 2019 Case of the Year award.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
But a dedicated group of Tustin police personnel didn’t let that deter them. Instead, for 28 days straight, they got to work.
With their only initial clue coming from doorbell video surveillance footage that captured a car they believed might be the suspect’s, they pressed the case. They walked 14 square miles on foot, contacted 450 people, conducted dozens of interviews, did numerous probation searches, issued six search warrants, and even traveled to Oregon and Arizona.
In the end, they arrested two suspects.
The Beckman High School Chamber Orchestra entertains at the start of the Tustin PD Awards Banquet at the Marconi Automotive Museum.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The dramatic cold case that achieved hard-won justice for Nakaki’s family was recognized during the 2019 “Above and Beyond” Awards Banquet, an annual tradition hosted by the Tustin Police Officers Association and Tustin Police Support Services Association.
The award went to a large contingent of Tustin police personnel who worked the Nakaki case: Eric Haug, Ryan Newton, David Nguyen, Shonn Rojas, Greg Schaller, Rob Nelson, Denise Avila, Eileen Chen, Suzanna Howard, Jeff Taylor, Colton Kirwan, Gus Gonzalez, Joe Cossack, Javon Smith, Jorge Sanchez, Charlie Ruelas, David Valencia, Dave Welde, Chris Gerber, and Ryan Coe.
Lt. Ryan Coe steps up to the microphone to accept, on behalf of the TPD team behind him, the 2019 Case of the Year award.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Coe, a lieutenant, noted how the entire group worked through the holidays, rarely taking any time off.
“This was an amazing display of team effort at its very best during one of the most difficult cases we have ever had,” Coe said.
Deputy Chief Jeff Blair read aloud a thank-you letter from Nakaki’s family.
Master of Ceremonies Capt. Bob Wright sets the mood for the night with a smile during Tustin PD’s annual Awards Banquet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
“This is compelling. This is epic,” he commented. “Every time all of you pin on your Tustin Police Department badge before you go in service, you should be proud.”
Another highlight of the awards ceremony held at the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin included Lifetime Achievement Awards given to retired sergeants Jim Brabeck and Michael Lamoureaux.
Brabeck started as a reservist with Tustin in 1997. He served for the next 22 years in a variety of roles, such as SWAT officer, gang unit officer, and as a master sergeant.
Tustin PD PSO Eileen Chen smiles as she receives the TPSSA Dedication & Professionalism award.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Lamoureaux began his law enforcement career in 1987 as a border patrol agent before coming to Tustin in 1995, where his duties included detective, gang unit, court certified gang expert, and field training officer. He was also a four-time recipient of the Officer of the Month award.
In his acceptance speech, Lamoureaux expressed his ongoing pride for Tustin police, their hardworking nature, and family togetherness.
“We’re always going to be part of this quilt,” he said. “We will always be together.”
The other 2019 award recipients were:
Explorer of the Year: Nathalie Martinez
Cadet of the Year: George Marin
Volunteer of the Year: Rich Ruedas
Reserve of the Year: Dana Harper
Distinguished Service Award: Danielle Del Merari, Eric Kent, Dave Welde
Lifesaving Award: Eduardo Diaz, Taylor Babb, Diego Gomez
Community Service Award: John Hedges
Community Member Award: Karin Marquez
TPSSA Rookie of the Year: Zhanna Ismailova
TPOA Rookie of the Year: Merwin Caiza
TPSSA Dedication and Professionalism: Eileen Chen
TPOA Dedication and Professionalism: Rob Nelson
TPSSA Supervisor of the Year: Kristin Fettering
TPOA Supervisor of the Year: Dave Welde
TPSSA Employee of the Year: Edwin Urias
TPOA Officer of the Year: Royce Del Merari
Connie Attard, president of TPSSA, and Det. Robert Nelson, president of TPOA, gives their opening remarks during Tustin PD’s annual awards banquet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Sgt. Sarah Fetterling presents the Tustin PD Volunteer of the Year award to Rich Ruedas during the Tustin PD awards banquet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
TPD Det. David Nguyen presents the Explorer of the Year award to Nattalie Martinez, for the second year in a row, during the Tustin PD Awards Banquet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Members of the Beckman High School Chamber Orchestra play as Tustin PD employees and officers gather at the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin for the annual awards banquet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Police Services Officer Zhanna Ismailova receives the TPSSA Rookie of the Year award from Edwin Urias during the Tustin PD awards banquet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Karen Marquez, right, receives the Community Member Award from Sgt. Sarah Fetterling during the Tustin PD awards banquet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Lt. Ryan Coe, left, presents Dave Welde with the TPOA Supervisor of the Year award during the Tustin PD awards banquet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin PD Communications Supervisor Kristin Fetterling, right, receives the TPSSA Supervisor of the Year award for the third year in a row during the Tustin PD awards banquet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin PD Officer Robert Nelson, left, receives the TPOA Dedication & Professionalism award from Lt. Ryan Coe during the Tustin PD awards banquet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin PD PSO Eileen Chen, left, receives the TPSSA Dedication & Professionalism award from TPSSA President Connie Attard during the Tustin PD awards banquet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg, left, congratulates Sgt. Michael Lamoureux, center, and Sgt. Jim Brabeck as they receive the TPD Lifetime Achievement Award during the Tustin PD awards banquet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Royce Del Merari, left, receives the TPOA Employee of the Year award from Ryan Newton during the Tustin PD awards banquet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Edwin Urias receives the TPSSA Employee of the Year award from Kristin Fetterling during the Tustin PD awards banquet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin PD Sgt. Jim Brabeck, center, and Sgt. Michael Lamoureux, right, receive the TPD Lifetime Achievement Award during the Tustin PD awards banquet. With them is Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
