Four KU Police staff recognized with Douglas County Valor Awards

LAWRENCE — Four University of Kansas Police Department staff members were among 21 Douglas County first responders recognized with Valor Awards for 2025.

Emergency Communications Officers Tyler Ulrich-Hicks and Janae Lubega, Sergeant Joseph Jackson and Detective Eli Hodge were honored at the Douglas County KS First Responder Valor Awards ceremony, which took place Feb. 26 at Abe & Jake's Landing.

KU Police Chief Nelson Mosley said he was proud of the KU honorees.

“I am delighted to have members of the KU Police Department honored by the first responder community for their calm, professionalism and outstanding service,” he said. “Day in and day out, our employees exemplify the highest level of service and dedication in the interest of maintaining KU as a safe and secure campus. I congratulate and thank these members and appreciate their hard work and effort.”

Ulrich-Hicks and Lubega were presented with the Grace Under Pressure Valor Award, which is presented to call takers within a Douglas County agency who performed outstandingly under extreme pressure or extenuating circumstances at a level which exceeds what is normally expected in a dispatch role.

Ulrich-Hicks showed empathy and care in de-escalating a person in crisis who had called in to the Emergency Communications Center. This allowed officers to safely respond and get the person to vital mental health resources.

Lubega utilized CCTV cameras to locate an individual who was actively suicidal when a phone ping failed to successfully locate the subject. Following Lubega's directions via the radio, officers were able to make contact and get the individual to mental health treatment.

Jackson and Hodge were presented with the Lifesaving Valor Award, which recognizes first responders for saving a human life that was in imminent risk of death. The lifesaving measures must be extraordinary, above and beyond regular duties.

Jackson and Hodge were among a group of officers who responded to an individual in an active suicidal situation. Jackson took control of the scene and coordinated the law enforcement response while Hodge contacted and de-escalated the individual. Eventually, the person surrendered and was transported for mental health stabilization and treatment.