HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 10 - Officer of the Year
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Krystal Caron, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0347 • kcaron@EdinaMN.gov • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Edina Detective to Receive the Officer of the Year Award
Edina, Minn., April 10, 2014 – Edina Det. Mike Lutz is being awarded the 2013 Mike Siitari Officer of the
Year Award.
After 40 years serving for the Edina Police Department, Lutz isn’t just the longest-serving officer in the history
of the Edina Police Department, he is also one of the most dedicated and caring officers.
“It’s kind of humbling [to be named Officer of the Year]. There is a lot of other people that are worthy of this
award. I’m proud of the fact that I was nominated for it and it goes a lot to my longevity,” said Lutz.
Lutz was promoted to detective in 1997 to the Crimes Against Persons Division so that he could work
directly with the victims.
“He never forgets a victim. If he can’t solve a case, it’ll always be in the back of his mind,” said Police Chief
Dave Nelson. “He can communicate with victims … he can get them to open up, he can get them to feel
comfortable sharing information.”
The Mike Siitari Officer of the Year award is given to one Edina Police Officer each year. Nominations from
the public and City employees are accepted and winners are selected by the Edina Crime Prevention Fund.
The Edina Crime Prevention Fund has been a community partner for over 40 years, helping fund Police
Department services and recognize exceptional officers.
Lutz gives a great deal of credit to his fellow officers as well. On a recent case, he and several other officers
from within Edina and Minneapolis were able to work together to solve three related cases of assault and
robbery. “We coordinated with Minneapolis … and everybody put in a lot of time, doing different things.
Some guys did search warrants, interviews, some did other things,” explained Lutz.
The Edina Crime Prevention Fund received several nominations for Lutz, all of which reiterated his
perseverance, dedication, attention to detail and care for his victims.
“Even after all these years, Mike is the type of guy that comes to work with a smile on his face,” remarked
Nelson. “He keeps saying he’ll retire when he doesn’t have fun coming to work anymore.”
“[I love] being able to do the kind of work that brings results for victims,” said Lutz. He added with a laugh,
“Catching the bad guys is fun.”
Past recipients of the award include Officers Joel Moore and Dave Lindman. Lutz will be recognized for this
award at the Tuesday, April 22 City Council Meeting. For more information, contact the Edina Police
Department at 952-826-1610.
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City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424