January 02, 2009

Police Det. Leonard Appelbaum Wins Award For Professional Excellence

by Eileen P. Duggan

Crestwood Police Detective Leonard Appelbaum has been named the 2009 winner of the Lt. John F. Walsh Professional Excellence Award.

Mayor Roy Robinson presented the award at the board of aldermen’s Dec. 9 meeting. Appelbaum’s wife, Christine, accepted the award, as he was unable to attend the meeting.

“I am honored and humbled to accept this award and I wish to thank Chief (Mike) Paillou, Deputy Chief (Frank) Arnoldy, Lt. (Ron) Compton and the detectives that I worked with,” said Appelbaum in a written statement. “Their insight and assistance was greatly appreciated.”

The 33-year police veteran began his law enforcement career with the St. Louis County Police Department in 1974, then served as a special agent for the Burlington Northern Railroad from 1980 to 1989. He joined the Crestwood Police Department in 1989 as a patrol officer and later served as a traffic officer and detective.

While working for Crestwood, Appelbaum earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice from St. Louis Community College-Meramec and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Webster University.

“During his tenure in the Detective Bureau, Len Appelbaum was the ‘go-to detective,’” Paillou said. “Whenever assistance or guidance was needed, Len was the man to go to. He has supported the patrol force, Neighborhood Watch and CERT and has filled our community service activities, giving countless presentations throughout this community.”

Appelbaum has been a member of the St. Louis County Major Case Squad for many years, playing a major role in investigating St. Louis County homicide cases, Paillou said. Appelbaum also has served as a member of the Federal Identity Theft Task Force.

“Appelbaum’s 33-year law enforcement career is a living tribute to the values of the Lt. John Walsh Professional Excellence Award,” Paillou said.

The award was established in December 2006 in memory of Lt. John F. Walsh, a 19-year veteran officer who died of a heart attack on duty on Feb. 2, 2006.