The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) awarded four Minneapolis police officers as joint recipients of the IACP Officer of the Year award for 2025. The announcement came today during the IACP General Assembly in Denver Colorado.
The award is given annually to an officer or a group of officers from across the globe who demonstrated “exceptional valor, bravery, and dedication in the line of duty.”
Officer Jamal Mitchell (posthumous), Officer Nick Kapinos, Officer Luke Kittock, and Officer Eric Withanom were recognized for their actions in the response to an active shooter incident in South Minneapolis on May 30th, 2024, which tragically resulted in the shooting death of Officer Mitchell.
The summary of the event as recognized by the IACP was as follows:
On May 30, 2024, the Minneapolis Police Department received a call that two males had been found deceased inside an apartment with apparent gunshot wounds to the head. After fleeing from the scene, the suspect began randomly assaulting pedestrians. In an attempt to rob a male of his scooter, another community member intervened by striking the suspect with his car and breaking his leg.
Officer Jamal Mitchell was the first to arrive and saw two people that needed immediate medical assistance. He approached an injured male, who he believed to be a victim, but was in fact the suspect. The suspect then produced a handgun and fired, striking Officer Mitchell several times. As firefighters arrived, the suspect concealed his weapon and attempted to lure them to assist him. When they hesitated in their approach, the suspect opened fire, prompting the firefighters to take cover and notify dispatch.
Officers Luke Kittock and Eric Withanom arrived at the scene and were immediately met with the suspect’s gunfire. Officer Kittock deployed his patrol rifle while Officer Withanom used a ballistic shield to protect themselves and the firefighters. Officer Kittock discharged his rifle at the suspect several times and eventually stopped the threat, despite sustaining a facial injury. When Officer Nicholas Kapinos arrived amid the gunfire, he did not hesitate to return fire and provide cover for the officers rendering aid to Officer Mitchell.
Tragically, Officer Mitchell succumbed to his injuries that day, and his family and the Minneapolis Police Department continue to grieve the loss. Because of their bravery and willingness to run toward the gunfire, these four officers protected the community and prevented additional people from losing their lives.
The officers had been announced as finalists for the award in September along with three other officers – two from the United States and one from Pakistan. You can view the summaries of the heroism displayed by each of these officers here.
The performance of each of these Minneapolis police officers did in fact demonstrate valor, bravery, and dedication – and their performance came while serving in an agency decimated by a staffing crisis that has left the ranks woefully understaffed. Despite this, they continued to answer the bell.
God bless our peace officers.
