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| Ted Oberg, Rania Mankarious and Dave Ward at the Crime Stoppers Houston’s Heroes Awards Luncheon 2019. |
Dave Ward handed his eponymous Media Excellence Award to longtime abc13 KTRK investigative reporter Ted Oberg this week at the Crime Stoppers Houston’s Heroes Awards Luncheon.
CLICK HERE to watch Dave's speech or read the transcript. Plus see Oberg's surprise reaction!
CRIME STOPPERS OF HOUSTON PRESS RELEASE ABOUT THE EVENT
Crime Stoppers of Houston Honors Distinguished Community Members at Annual Houston’s Heroes Awards Luncheon
Over $200,000 raised to fund critical crime prevention and public safety initiatives and official announcement of the inaugural Fenner Weller Award, Women Who Shape Houston, Partner of the Year and the Dave Ward Media Excellence Award
HOUSTON (April 30, 2019) – More than 400 guests joined Crime Stoppers of Houston on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel for their annual Houston’s Heroes Awards Luncheon to honor and celebrate outstanding community members who have made incredible contributions to make Houston and surrounding counties a safer place to live, work, learn and play.
The gathering, which serves as a vital fundraiser for Crime Stoppers, raised over $200,000 to directly fund the critical crime prevention programs and public safety initiatives delivered by the non-profit in our communities and schools.
Dana Tyson, host of Sunny 99.1 Morning Show lent her support as the mistress of ceremonies and led the afternoon festivities which included opening remarks from Crime Stoppers CEO Rania Mankarious and ended with Houston Media Icon Dave Ward unveiling the winner of the inaugural Dave Ward Excellence Award.
Each December through early January, the community has the opportunity to submit their Houston Hero nominations of those who have gone above and beyond to make our communities safer. The following 2019 Heroes were presented with distinguished awards for being positive contributors to our community through their long-standing support of crime prevention and public safety initiatives that make Houston, and Texas, safer for all:
The Johnny Klevenhagen Award - The Harris County Violent Crime Unit & The DPS Texas Anti-Gang Center Violent Crime Unit: Lieutenant Ralph Ohland, Special Agent Louie Verdeja and Sergeant Jeff Thomas were recognized for being instrumental in creating a great partnership between the Department of Public Safety and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office which led to the dismantlement of over 135 robbery crews (responsible for 600+ robberies) and arrest and removal of over 400 violent crime criminals.
The Corporate Citizen Award - Phillips 66: Recognized for their commitment to public safety, especially the Crime Stoppers of Houston Safe School Institute which educates students, teachers and school personnel on the Tip Line and critical safety issues to keep them safe while at school. They are also the first funders of the Crime Stoppers Statewide Initiative what was implemented in 2018 after the Santa Fe High School shooting.
The Fenner Weller Award - Glenda and Russell Gordy: Recognized for making a significant difference in the Crime Stoppers of Houston Capital Campaign which allowed the organization to break ground and begin construction on their building. With a family history in law enforcement, it’s important for them to give back to crime prevention and public safety initiatives which honor their family’s legacy.
The Leiv Platou Award - Michael D. Wilson: Recognized for his significant contribution to public safety as a volunteer, board member and tireless advocate for Crime Stoppers of Houston for over 22 years now.
The Safe School Award - Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner R. Jack Cagle: Recognized for his involvement and support of the Crime Stoppers Tip Line Program and Safe School Institute; providing tremendous guidance that has allowed the program to grow and reach over 1 million students with critical safety information related to reporting weapons on school campuses, cyber safety, teen dating violence and much more.
Inaugural Partner of the Year Award - Houston Police Department, Chief Art Acevedo and Assistant Chief Bobby Dobbins: Recognized for their incredible support as the Crime Stoppers of Houston Tip Line Program’s host agency since its inception in 1980. Each month, the seasoned investigators assigned to the Law Enforcement Detail Office vet anonymous tips that are then communicated to investigators out in the field; this investigative work helps solve between 30-60 criminal case per month, sometimes more.
Inaugural The Women Who Shape Houston Award - The Houston 20, Jennifer Hohman and Amy Pierce: Recognized for their determination and commitment to do whatever they can to mobilize Houston and the state of Texas to combat human trafficking and stop the sex trade of children, teens and adults.
While the focus of the afternoon was to honor these incredible heroes, Crime Stoppers of Houston was able to raise additional funds to continue their critically important crime solving work through the famed 713-222-TIPS Tip Line and expand their free crime prevention and safety education which is provided through their Safe Community Program and Safe School Institute.
“We take pride and find it a privilege to have the opportunity to recognize the 2019 Houston Heroes for the personal and professional contributions each of them has made to promote and enhance safety. They are a true inspiration for all! Beyond that, we must thank our partners who made the luncheon possible, including Aramco, our Presenting Partner, and Glenda and Russell Gordy as well as Phillips 66 our Safety Partners. So many joined to celebrate and honor our heroes for their forward-minded thinking which makes Houston, and all of Texas, safer.” shares Crime Stoppers CEO Rania Mankarious.
The highlight of the luncheon was the unveiling of the inaugural winner of the Dave Ward Media Excellence Award, which Crime Stoppers named after Mr. Ward who was instrumental in establishing Crime Stoppers in Houston, Texas back in 1981. Dave Ward took the stage to finally reveal the well-kept secret:
“When I was informed that there would be this Dave Ward Media Excellence Award, I immediately started deliberating the criteria for selecting the recipient for this award. It could go to print media; it could go to a radio reporter or television… run the gamut of news reporting.
Well I had to remember the five W’s – who, what, when, where and why…
I was trying to think and come up with the person who really deserves this, who gets those five W’s and it came to me.
I need to turn to Ted. He’s over there. Ted Oberg ladies and gentlemen. He is a valued colleague of mine and a dear friend. And I am delighted to present the first, the inaugural, Dave Ward Media Excellence Award to my good friend Ted Oberg.” - Dave Ward.
Click here to listen to full transcript of Dave Ward’s speech.
A surprised Ted then came on stage to give his acceptance speech, offering words of gratitude to both Crime Stoppers of Houston and Dave Ward for the recognition.
Wednesday’s celebration was supported by many individuals, community partners and generous sponsors, including Presenting Partner Aramco Services Company; Safety Partners Phillips 66 and Glenda and Russell Gordy; Brigitte and Bashar Kalai, Amerapex, North Houston District, Amy and Rob Pierce, Kip and Jennifer Hohman, Memorial Hermann, The Heinz Family, Elva and Truett Akin, H-E-B, KPRC-TV, Sprint by Connectivity Source, 3SI Security Systems, Gray Reed, Houston Apartment Association, Independent Bank, Janet and Commissioner R. Jack Cagle, Lawrence and Linda Levy, Melissa Davis and John Crapitto, Mike and Carole Wilson, Texas Inter-Faith Housing/Portfolio Resident Services, The Children’s Assessment Center, and Union Pacific Railroad.
Among supporters were Crime Stoppers Chairman Jeff Vaden and Sonya Vaden, Lindsey and Scott Aronstein, Tama Lundquist, Tena Lundquist Faust, Laura Ward, Jill and Charlie Talisman, Justin Vickrey, Noe Diaz, Lynette and Michael Kuznar, Ricardo and Joan Nazario, Donae Chramosta, Jill Herrera, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Joni and Michael Hoffman, Cynthia Cisneros, Grace Olivares, Amber and Cary Gray, Gina Gaston, Beth Arlington, Rachelle Rowe, Jan Chafin, Logan Leal, Susan Holcomb, Katrina Arnim, Tracy Faulkner, Mauri Oliver, Vicki Rizzo, and many more.
Notable guests include City of Houston Director of Homeland Security George Buenik, Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan, Harris County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Harris County Constable Precinct One Alan Rosen, Houston Police Department Chief Art Acevedo, and Council Members Brenda Stardig, Jack Christie and Amanda Edwards.
If you would like to learn about Crime Stoppers of Houston, how to get involved or donate to their mission programs, visit
www.crime-stoppers.org or call 713-521-4600.
