Wood River City Council Meeting
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WOOD RIVER – Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells recently honored multiple officers and telecommunications for their outstanding service throughout 2025.
Wells joined Mayor Tom Stalcup in presenting the Officer of the Year Award for 2025 to Brendan Wright at the Feb. 2, 2026 Wood River City Council meeting. Wells said Wright fielded the most calls of any officer in the department last year, totaling 2,706 calls in 2025.
“In 2025, Officer Wright handled the most complaints in the department … demonstrating both his efficiency and ability to manage complex and challenging situations,” Wells said. “Additionally, he ranked among the top three officers in arrests, reflecting his proactivity and effective approach to public safety.”
Kristine Kestler was presented with the Telecommunicator of the Year Award for demonstrating key qualities of an effective telecommunicator, including consistent professionalism, sound judgment, and her “calm demeanor under pressure.”
“Her dedication to public safety, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to serving both the community and her fellow officers exemplify the highest standards of the Wood River Police Department,” Wells said of Kestler.
This year, Wells said he felt some additional staff members were deserving of awards for their extraordinary efforts. Excellence Awards were presented to Telecommunicator Megan Cato and Officer Katherine Castelli.
“Throughout 2025, you demonstrated exceptional dedication, productivity, and professionalism in the performance of your duties,” Wells said to Castelli. “Notably, you led the entire Wood River Police Department in arrests during the year, an achievement that reflects your proactive approach to policing, strong investigative instincts, and commitment to enforcing the law fairly and effectively.”
Wells also highlighted Cato’s composure and attention to detail in performing her duties, earning her an Excellence Award for 2025.
“Your ability to manage high-stress situations while providing clear, accurate, and timely communications is vital to officer safety and effective emergency response,” Wells said to Cato, noting her and Castelli’s swift actions as a “dynamic duo” in responding to a helicopter crash in Hartford.
“They navigated that better than [any] two people that I’ve ever heard on the radio in my 30-plus years of doing police work, so good job,” Wells added.
A full recording of the Feb. 2, 2026 Wood River City Council meeting is available at the top of this story or on Riverbender.com/video.
