The Juneau Police Department held its annual award ceremony on Thursday afternoon at the station.
Chief Ed Mercer and Deputy Chief David Campbell read the citations and gave awards to both members of the department and members of the community who had distinguished themselves.
“I think it’s very important to recognize members of the police department,” Mercer said during the ceremony. “Every one of them go out every single day and do their jobs effortlessly and they’re often never recognized for it.”
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Robert Partin was given the Citizen’s Award for Bravery from the department for helping to direct traffic while JPD officers attempted to apprehend a subject during foul weather last winter.
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Chief Ed Mercer presents Robert Partin an award for bravery during the Juneau Police Department’s annual award ceremony on June 9, 2022.
Kyle Brady and Jason Wilson were given Citizen’s Certificates of Merit for assisting Sgt. Ben Beck in dealing with a particularly obstreperous subject.
Four other civilians — Garrett Paul, Kaia Paul, Rob Worden and Todd Brocious — were jointly given lifesaving awards for helping a man who fell out of his boat in the Taku River last October.
Sgt. Nick Garza and Officer Jim Quinto were given letters of appreciation for going beyond their duties to assist members of the community.
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Chief Ed Mercer presents Jason Wilson and Kyle Brady with Certificates of Merit for assisting Sgt. Ben Beck, second from left, during the Juneau Police Department’s annual award ceremony on June 9, 2022.
Community Service Officer Sarah Dolan was given the Jackie Renninger Community Policing Award. Dolan is heavily involved in volunteering in a number of fields, Mercer said, including helping to fundraise and organize the annual Shop with a Cop event, organizing local block parties, and helping Mercer himself learn to garden slightly better, he related.
Mercer also handed out annual awards for the 2021 Leader, Officer, Dispatcher and Citizen of the year for personnel within the department.
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Chief Ed Mercer presents Juneau Police Department employee Oscar Godinez with the Citizen of the Year award for the department during annual award ceremony on June 9, 2022.
Sgt. Matt DuBois was named the leader of the year.
“He cares. He is an individual who cares. That’s something I would want in anybody,” Mercer said. “I am proud to be issuing this of-the-year award. It’s well deserved.”
Officer Hannah Malone was named officer of the year.
“I feel she is an officer who exemplifies the core values of JPD,” said Campbell, reading from Malone’s nomination. “Hannah goes above and beyond for others in the department and the community.”
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Chief Ed Mercer presents Lt. Jeremy Weske with a certificate for his 15 years of service during the Juneau Police Department’s annual award ceremony on June 9, 2022.
Sara Dallas was named dispatcher of the year, and Oscar Godinez, who recently started work for the department was named citizen of the year.
Mercer also recognized officers and personnel who were hitting their 5, 10, 15 and 25 year marks of service, including Tonya Kurtz for her quarter century with the department.
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at (757) 621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.
