The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

OFFICER OF THE MONTH - AUGUST 1999

OFFICER JULIANN CONDRA
NEW ALBANY (IN) POLICE DEPARTMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) has announced the selection of Officer Juliann Condra, of the New Albany (IN) Police Department as its Officer of the Month for August 1999.

Every once in a while you meet a person who is the embodiment of the message behind the memorable words spoken by the late President John F. Kennedy, "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country." Officer Juliann Condra is one of those people. Officer Juliann Condra is one of those people. Officer Condra made the decision early in life to be a police officer, following in the footsteps of her step-father, a local law enforcement officer.

In 1984 Officer Condra reached her first goal. She became a dispatcher for the New Albany Police Department. "In 1986 when she was sworn in as a law enforcement officer, she was like a kid in a candy store," says Beverly Crump her good friend and the Chairman of Trustees for the local Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary. "It's not a job for Julie, it's a way of life."

Described by her superiors as an officer who routinely goes above and beyond the call of duty, Officer Condra's keen eye for police work recently saved a drugstore cashier from being raped and possibly murdered. Stopping by the drugstore after work one evening, Officer Condra noticed a suspicious looking man in the back of a van outside the store. After finding the female owner of the van inside the drugstore, Officer Condra determined that the person in the van did not belong there. Officer Condra then confronted the man and he fled. After a foot chase, the suspect was apprehended and a record check revealed a lengthy criminal record and a history of rape. "Officer Condra's keen eye for police work," says Chief of Police Mathie Anderson, "kept the lady safe and put a rapist in prison."

Officer Condra is the recipient of the Award of Honor; she has been named Officer of the Year; and she has been recognized numerous other times by the City of New Albany and the citizens she serves. Captain Harry Harrell says of his dedicated officer, "She is always fair and equal in her service regardless of the circumstances. From my point of view and that of other members of the department, Officer Condra is a valuable asset and it is my pleasure to have her under my command."

Officer Condra's dedication to the citizens she serves does not end when she takes off her gun each day. As part of a community policing effort in one of the local housing projects, Officer Condra and another officer held movie nights for the children. The movies were donated by a local video store and refreshments were provided. By reaching out and truly caring about the people she serves, Officer Condra has been able to make a difference in the lives of many youngsters. "I can see me doing this for at least 30 years," says Officer Condra.

"When a local pizza shop wanted extra security, after being robbed," says Ms. Crump, "[Officer Condra] took the job. She doesn't have to, but it made the owner feel safer, and it gave Julie the opportunity to meet and interact with more kids." Officer Condra has also worked with the Fraternal Order of Police's (FOP's) Shop With a Cop Program and as a trustee on the FOP board.

In addition to her work as a patrol officer, Officer Condra works as a Field Training Officer and participates in the Community Bicycle Program. "Officer Condra does an excellent job in both programs," says New Albany Police Chief Mathie Anderson. "She is one of the first to always step forward and want to do more. She has always gone above and beyond the call of duty, and it is a great pleasure being Officer Condra's Police Chief."