Two Bradenton Police officers honored at City Council meeting

BRADENTON - With smiling and proud family members and colleagues watching from the seats in the City Council chambers, two Bradenton Police officers accepted Medals of Valor and congratulations on Wednesday morning.

Sgt. Curtis Johnson, left, and Officer David Durrance each received a Medal of Valor for their apprehension of an armed suspect.

Sgt. Curtis Johnson and Officer David Durrance helped apprehend an armed bank robbery suspect on June 2.

The suspect, Charles T. Kincaid of Sebring, had been observed putting on gloves and a mask, and tried to enter a bank on Manatee Avenue West. The door was locked, though, and employees called the police. Johnson and Durrance pulled over Kincaid's vehicle, and the suspect pulled a .380 caliber handgun and pointed it at Johnson.

Durrance fired at Kincaid, hitting him, and that caused him to drop the weapon. Kincaid was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and attempted armed robbery.

Also Wednesday, several city employees and three people from Pinnacle Medical Center received PRIDE awards for their service to the city.

Gina Winterbottom and Lt. Warren Merriman were honored for writing a grant request that got the city $1.4 million to hire police officers; deputy city clerk Bev Chapin received an award for her work and efforts at professional improvement; public works employees Glen Riley and Joe Allen were recognized as a result of a letter from a citizen to the city about their help with his removal of yard waste; and Fire Department Capt. Glenn Hudson was commended for his efforts in the department's accreditation.