The Tulsa Police Department is giving away a very special award today. It is an award for citizens.
Chief Jordan of the Tulsa Police Department will present citizen Harold A. French Jr. with the Tulsa Police Department Citizen Appreciation Award Tuesday afternoon.
French is being recognized for helping police capture a homicide suspect back in March.
On March 14 officers responded to a home invasion where victims Bob and Nancy Strait were found beaten. The victim's 2001 Dodge Neon was also missing from their home. Both were transported to St. Johns hospital where Nancy later died. Bob died a few weeks after.
The next day, March 15, French called 911 to report he was following the missing vehicle in the area of 4th and Yale. While officers responded to the area, French continued to follow the car until it stopped in front of 5723 E. Easton Avenue. Five persons were detained and one suspect was arrested for the crime against the Straits.
Major Tracie Lewis nominated French for the Citizen Appreciation Award for his courageous and selfless actions. Major Lewis' nomination letter reads in part: "Without the invaluable assistance and concern for justice of Mr. Harold A. French, Jr., the suspect may not have been apprehended so soon, while in possession of the victim's car. It is citizen dedication like this that makes our city safe and our jobs that much easier."
