March 25, 2011 > Milpitas Police Officer Mitch Timko honored Milpitas Police Officer Mitch Timko honored Submitted by Sgt. Daryl Sequeira, Milpitas PD Photo Courtesy of Milpitas PD Milpitas Police Officer Mitch Timko is among the ten officers honored for Outstanding Service by the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS). Officer Timko was honored at a ceremony and banquet held on Thursday, March 17 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City. In January of this year Officer Timko and Abbie Serrano were among 13 law enforcement officers honored by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors as 2010 Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Officers of the Year. Officer Timko was honored for defusing a highly dangerous encounter with an armed, mentally distraught woman last year, and for his outstanding work with the community improving the quality of life in two Milpitas neighborhoods. Last year on January 16, a woman entered a Milpitas church holding a loaded revolver to her head, and ordered the parishioners to leave. Officer Timko's calm and sincere manner and non-stop conversation with the woman over two hours eventually convinced her to put down the gun, which was cocked and ready to be fired. Also during 2010, Officer Timko worked closely with the residents of two separate neighborhoods to substantially improve the quality of life by mitigating gang issues, and an investigation that resulted in the arrest of a drug dealer who had created numerous disputes and hazardous encounters with area residents. "Officer Timko demonstrates what a true and profound difference an officer can make in people's lives. Mitch adeptly applies a strong work ethic and unique knowledge of local residents and circumstances to address community issues. He stops and talks to people in a particular neighborhood, and as they come to know him they begin to trust him, with positive results for all," said Milpitas Police Chief Dennis Graham.