Public safety professionals were recognized for their life-saving actions and contributions to ensuring safety in the community.
The Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce hosted its 29th Annual Public Safety Awards Breakfast on Friday at the Montgomery County Agricultural Center.
“When you do this job, you don’t expect and you’re not doing it to be awarded like this, but it’s definitely great to be recognized,” said Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) Officer Haley Lennon, who was awarded a Distinguished Service Citation along with four colleagues for their actions last year to save the life of a victim who had gunshot wounds to the head.
Nearly 40 men and women from local agencies were awarded for their service in the upcounty. They received a citation from the Maryland State Senate and U.S. Rep. David Trone.
A moment of silence was held for Luther Reynolds, a former assistant police chief with MCPD who died in May after a battle with cancer.
The following public safety professionals were awarded Friday.
Meritorious Service Citation:
- Director Rob Walker, Asbury Methodist Village Security
- Officer Amy Ovalle, Community Engagement Officer, Gaithersburg Police Department
- Robert Harding (In Memoriam), Gaithersburg-Washington Grove Volunteer Fire Department
- Cpl. Andre Butler, Maryland State Police
- Trooper First Class Ricardo Canizalez, Maryland State Police
Distinguished Service Citation:
- MCPD Fifth District Special Assignment Team: Sgt. Jeffrey (Kevin) Holmes, Cpl. Shaun Hansen, Officer Manny Gomez, Officer Doug Styles, Officer Evan Clarke, Officer Robert Zaal, Officer Bassel Ifield, Officer Tomasz Machon
- MCPD Fifth District Community Action Team: Sgt. Robert Farmer, Cpl. Michael Mancuso, Officer Andrew Synan, Officer Gregory Delgado, Officer Elvis Paulino-Valdez
- Officer Matthew Duerr, MCPD District 5
- Detective Michael Murphy, MCPD District 5
- Officer Andre Smith, MCPD District 5
- Officer Haley Lennon, MCPD District 6
- Officer Jermie Castro, MCPD District 6
- Officer Daniel Warner, MCPD District 6
- Officer Kristen Kimball, MCPD District 6
- Officer Michael Wengloski, MCPD District 6
- Deputy Sheriff Gabriel Cabrera, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
- Deputy Sheriff Carlos Marrero-Rivera, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
- Deputy Sheriff Shane Scott, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
- Sgt. Michael Yu, MCPD
- Officer Benjamin Markwell, MCPD
- Trooper First Class Quinn Barns, Maryland State Police
Citation for Bravery:
- Officer John Ceresini, MCPD District 6
- Detective Brandon McQuay, MCPD District 6
- Officer Jermie Castro, MCPD District 6
- Officer Nathan Rodgers, MCPD District 6
- Sgt. David Hall, MCPD District 6
- Officer Alex Fusco, MCPD District 6
- Officer Alex Alizaga Silva, MCPD District 6
