PONDERAY — Corporal David Huptich was selected by his fellow officers as the Ponderay Police Department’s ‘Officer of the Year’ for 2025 at the city’s annual holiday party. 

Ponderay Police Chief Joesph Kaufman said he thought the officers knocked it out of the park by selecting Huptich for the award. He said Huptich was crucial for the department while they were short-staffed and brings a wealth of knowledge from his past jobs. 

"Corporal Huptich is the one you can always rely on. Whenever you needed somebody, it seemed like he was the one who showed up,” Kaufman said. “He worked for the Chicago Police Department, the Phoenix Police Department, and he brings all that knowledge he has from those larger departments to Ponderay. It’s so valuable having him on the team.” 

Kaufman said he wanted to bring the Office of the Year award to the department to honor the work of his officers. Ponderay PD officers voted for the award because Kaufman said the support from his fellow officers was always a source of pride for him.  

“Everywhere else I’ve worked we had an officer of the year and anybody who won it had bragging rights for the year,” Kaufman said. “I always thought it was a cool award so why not bring it here.” 

Police officers Sergeant Jeremy Deal and Corporal Cameron Simeral were also honored at the party. 

Deal was awarded a lifesaving award from the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum for his actions last June. Deal provided first aid to an unconscious female, likely close to death due to a drug overdose, according to Ponderay Police.  

Deal was presented with a lifesaving award from the Ponderay Police Department in August for his actions during the incident. 

Kaufman noted at the award ceremony in August that Deal responded to an incident that involved fentanyl, a drug that is dangerous not just to the user, but anyone that comes in contact with it. Thanks to Deal’s care, she survived a “near overdose death” and make a recovery after being provided further medical treatment.  

"I nominated him for an award from the Hall of Fame and Museum, and I hadn’t heard back from them in months, so I figure, at least I tried,” Kaufman said of Deal. “Then sure enough, he won. That was cool that he got recognized for that.” 

Simeral received the distinguished service award for his actions in preventing a potential stabbing in March of last year. Ponderay PD officials said Simeral was able to deescalate the situation and take the suspect into custody without harming any bystanders. 

Kaufman said Simeral’s handling of the situation was a masterclass in deescalation and added he was thoroughly impressed with Simeral’s work. 

"I reviewed that and I was so impressed with the way he was able to keep everything calm,” Kaufman said. “It was something I think almost every officer should watch because he did a fantastic job, the way he talked to that guy.” 

At the party, Records Clerk Beth Dunlap was celebrated with the department’s civilian employee service award. Dunlap was given the award because of her years of dedication and her willingness to go above her regular job duties. 

Kaufman said Dunlap is a motherly figure for the department, doing things like keeping track of officers’ birthdays in addition to the numerous hats she wears.  

"She’s been here 10 years and is not only our records clerk, but she’s our evidence technician, our background investigator, really a jack of all trades,” Kaufman said. “She just does everything and she’s in a position where we tell her we appreciate her, but I wanted to do something nice for her because she deserved recognition.” 

Kaufman said he wanted to bring more awards to the department to encourage quality work and make sure it went recognized.  

"I came from larger departments and saw a lot of good work never get recognized,” Kaufman said. “I always said if I’m ever in a position where I could do it differently, I was going to do it differently... It’s not that the guys who work here need that sort of stuff, I just feel they deserve it.” 

    Ponderay Police Sergeant Jeremy Deal accepts a lifesaving award from the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum.
  

    Ponderay Police Department Records Clerk Beth Dunlap was celebrated with the department’s civilian employee service award.