When Seventh District Officers Deirdre Fischer and Marcia Collins responded to a tip that a halfway house escapee with a long criminal history had attacked his girlfriend and terrorized her at work, they were able to quickly locate the suspect B who was armed with a handgun. As the suspect began to draw his weapon on the officers, they alertly subdued him, recovered his weapon and placed him under arrest.

Bennie Coates, a supervisor in the 9-1-1 Communications Center, learned from Prince George's County authorities that a man suspected of kidnapping a 12-year-old boy was headed to the District to obtain emergency funds before leaving the area with the boy. Coates quickly dispatched units to a Southeast address linked to the suspect, as well as to the bus and train stations. He also alerted security officials at the stations and coordinated their efforts with those of MPD personnel. Within a few hours, the suspects was arrested and the boy rescued.

Wilhelmina Lawson, a resident of the Trinidad neighborhood, and Seth Waxman, a volunteer attorney with "Operation Crackdown," grew tired of the drug dealing and other criminal activity emanating from buildings in Trinidad and Ivy City B so they took action. They organized residents, enlisted the help of Lieutenant Robert Tupa and other members of the Fifth District, and then used the free legal services of Operation Crackdown to get the owners and managers of problem buildings to clean up their act. The results: a reduction in the number of crack houses in the neighborhoods, along with the conversion of a problem liquor store into a community resource center.

These six individuals are just a few of the police officers, civilian employees and residents honored tonight for their outstanding work in reducing crime and strengthening District neighborhoods, as part of the Metropolitan Police Department's annual awards ceremony. The event begins at 7 p.m. in DAR Constitution Hall, 18th and D Streets, NW, and is open to the public.

"This Awards Ceremony reminds us that our success in fighting crime and improving the quality of life in our city is the result of a team effort," said Chief of Police Charles H. Ramsey. "I am very proud to be a part of the District's community policing team B to serve alongside so many dedicated, talented and caring people. Tonight, we honor those police officers, civilian employees and neighborhood residents who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, often at great risk or sacrifice to themselves, to serve others who are in need."

Awards are being presented in nine categories, including the Medal of Valor for heroism, the Lifesaving Award, the Blue Badge Award for officers seriously injured in the line of duty, the Meritorious Service Award for outstanding contributions, and the Achievement Award for individual acts of skill or bravery. In addition, the Chief's Special Award is presented to community members who have excelled in embracing the District's community policing philosophy, and the Award of Merit is given to other agencies that have assisted the MPD in significant operations.

In all, approximately 275 individuals and organizations are being honored during the ceremony. Complete information about all award winners can be found on the Metropolitan Police Department's Web site: www.mpdc.org .

Emcees for the program are J.C. Hayward , news anchor at Channel 9 ( WUSA-TV ) Eyewitness News, and Craig T. Nelson , the Emmy Award-winning actor currently starring in the CBS series, " The District ." The event also includes performances by the Eastern Senior High School Choir .