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Capital Area Theodore Roosevelt Police
Award
2006 Honoree: Sergeant H. Bradford Graham III
 The The Capital Area Chapter of the TRA awarded its third annual Theodore Roosevelt Police Award on Wednesday, November 8, 2006 to Sergeant H. Bradford Graham III of the Montgomery County (Maryland) Police Department. The 1 p.m. ceremony was held at the U.S. Navy Memorial & Naval Heritage Center in Washington, DC. Graham was selected from a field of nominees from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in the Metropolitan Washington, DC area.
Doug Hill, chief meteorologist for the Washington ABC television affiliate (WJLA) served as master of ceremony. A former police officer, Hill spoke passionately about the dedication of law enforcement officers and the need to recognize the sacrifices of both the officers and their families.
Hill read the following citation about the circumstances that lead to Graham's nomination and selection for the Theodore Roosevelt Police Award:
On the evening of April 3, 2005 Sergeant Brad Graham, supervisor of the Montgomery County Maryland Police Department First District Traffic Squad, responded to an emergency call involving a house fire. He and two other officers who arrived before the fire department helped an elderly resident out of the burning building. In doing so, Brad had to negotiate a steep embankment, causing a nagging discomfort in his right foot to become excruciating. Within two weeks Brad received a grim diagnosis: the pain was from a cancerous tumor which could be treated only by amputating his leg below the knee.
The news was devastating. As Brad later recalled, “I thought, My God! They’re taking my leg off! I’ve been a cop for 35 years --what am I going to do? It was a very difficult time in my life.”
Brad prepared himself mentally and emotionally, and on June 14, 2005 his right leg was amputated below the knee. As low as his spirits were, he never gave up the dream of returning to work. It was especially inspiring to go through physical therapy and rehabilitation with younger people who also had undergone amputations due to trauma or illness. “I realized it was not the end of my life and there was no reason to give up. I was not going to let this beat me,” he said.
Less than three months after the amputation, Brad returned to work in a restricted duty capacity. But he wanted to do more. His desire to come back “motivated us to find a way for him to come back,” explained Lieutenant Dan Waring, Brad’s former supervisor. By October 2005, he was appointed supervisor of the Pharmaceutical Unit in the Special Investigations Division, and has “rejuvenated” that program, according to Lieutenant Waring. “He was determined not to let this injury sideline him. I can’t tell you how many people have told him you’re crazy to go back to work, but he’s done far better than any of us would have predicted. He’s indomitable,” said Waring.
For Brad, the decision was simple. “I felt I had knowledge and experience and that there were things I could definitely still contribute, so there was no reason to quit. Plus I love the job.”
TRA Trustee Simon Roosevelt and his wife, Loli, came from New York, and Simon spoke about TR's accomplishments as Police Commissioner in New York City and his enduring relationship with the NYC Police Department and law enforcement. Simon, joined by Capital Area Chapter member Commander Kevin Brown, USCG, presented the award to Sergeant Graham.
Like other sites, the Capital Area Chapter award consists of a ribbon medal and commendation bar for the honored officer’s uniform, a 10-inch bust of TR, and a cash prize of $1,000. Sergeant Graham's name also was engraved on a plaque that will be displayed at Montgomery County Police Department headquarters for one year. In addition, historian Kathleen Dalton dedicated a copy of her book, Theodore Roosevelt: A Strenuous Life, to Sergeant Graham.
Montgomery County Chief of Police J. Thomas Manger spoke of Sergeant Graham's dedication and tenacity in the face of a life-threatening illness. In addition to thanking the Capital Area Chapter, Graham acknowledged the support of the department, colleagues and friends in his recovery.
Special guests at the ceremony included the 2005 Police Award recipient, Second Lieutenant Randall Hargus of the Fairfax County (Virginia) Police Department, and Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum in Washington, DC.
The ceremony took place in the President's Room at the US Navy Memorial, which has paintings of the seven US Presidents who served in or oversaw the US Navy, TR included. Motorola, a manufacturer of police communications equipment, systems and intelligence data, sponsored the award.
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