This month’s Cleveland Police Foundation’s Police Officers of the Month are Sgt. Teresa Gomez and Detective T.J. Powell of the Homicide Unit. They investigated a horrific crime involving a child left alone for 10 days, where they not only made an arrest but also spoke on behalf of the 16-month-old angel at the perpetrator’s sentencing. Both officers stepped up and advocated for the victim with heartfelt speeches when none of her family showed up.
I asked Lt. James Bryant, these officers’ immediate supervisor, about this incident. He stated, “Make no mistake about it, Sgt. Teresa Gomez and Detective TJ Powell are heroes every day. This case just happened to get more attention than the many other cases they handle every year. As veteran members of the Cleveland Homicide Unit, they see the absolute worst of our society yet continue to give us their absolute best. They don’t just investigate; they advocate and fight for the most vulnerable among us, often putting aside their own feelings of sadness and disbelief to be the best in our field.
This case is especially difficult for our members, as many of us are also parents and grandparents. It is unimaginable that someone could do this to anyone, especially their own child. When there was no one to speak for this child, Sgt. Gomez and Detective Powell went above and beyond to be a voice for her and see that justice was served on her behalf. This is just another reminder that members of the Cleveland Division of Police are not just protectors, but also your family, friends, neighbors, and community members. Thank you, Sgt. Gomez and Detective Powell, for your continued exemplary work and dedication to our community.”
It is because of their compassion for their work and devotion to the community they serve that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name Sgt. Teresa Gomez and Detective TJ Powell our Police Officers of the Month for June 2024.
– Bob Guttu, CPF