Congratulations to Arizona city and town police officers on commendable efforts that were recently recognized!

Officer Wes Kelley of Apache Junction Police Department (Photo Courtesy of City of Apache Junction)

Apache Junction Police Department Officer Wesley Kelley was recently named the Officer of the Year by the local American Legion.

Kelley was given the honor on April 9 by American Legion Post 27.

American Legion posts nationwide name officers of the year. The American Legion then annually selects a National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award. It is awarded to a well-rounded law enforcement officer who has exceeded the duty requirements expected of his or her position and has demonstrated a distinct pattern of community service coupled with professional achievement, according to the American Legion website.

“It is always an honor to have one of our officers recognized by one of armed service organizations,” said Police Chief Thomas E. Kelly. “It is especially humbling as these are the same people that have previously placed themselves in harm’s way in defending our country.  Officer Kelley is one of those officers that requires minimum supervision and is respected by his peers. He presents himself well and treats all with dignity and respect as stated in the Apache Junction Police Department’s mission statement. Very proud of the recognition.”

Prescott Valley Police Department Officer of the Year Cozens (Photo Courtesy of Town of Prescott Valley)

The Prescott Valley Police Department also held its annual police recognition awards. The Officer of the Year was announced as Officer Caleb Cozens.

Officer Cozens started his career with the Prescott Valley Police Department in June 2015, laterally transferring from Chino Valley.  He demonstrates a positive, upbeat attitude and is known for his professionalism, representing the Prescott Valley Police Department and the Town of Prescott Valley with pride.

A team player, Officer Cozens consistently produces a high quality of work, especially in the handling of drug investigations. He is a leader within the department in drug arrests and is always willing to take on extra work. Over the last year Officer Cozens has written 83 citations/warnings, written 262 reports and supplements, and made 131 arrests.

The Town of Prescott Valley also honored other officers with awards:

Prescott Valley Police Department Rookie of the Year Officer Loughmiller (Photo Courtesy of Town of Prescott Valley)

2016 Rookie of the Year – Cameron Loughmiller

2016 Community Policing Ribbon – Officer Tyler Brown

2016 Unit of the Year – Community Services Unit

2016 Civilian of the Year – Jerry Ferguson

2016 Volunteer of the Year – Dave Demski

The  City of Cottonwood Police and Fire Departments personnel comprising the “Verde Valley Fallen Heroes Committee” presented a check for $10,030.00 to the 100 Club of Arizona on May 13. The 100 Club of Arizona is a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to the families of police officers and firefighters who are killed or injured in the line of duty, provides financial assistance to public safety agencies who need help purchasing safety equipment, provides the children and spouses of public safety personnel with scholarships for college and provides other financial help to public safety agencies.

The Verde Valley Fallen Heroes Committee raised these funds through the 3rd Annual Fallen Heroes Golf Tournament at Verde Santa Fe Golf Course held on Saturday, April 25, 2015. This year’s event was a huge success and participants not only played a round of golf, they also participated in a gun raffle, a general raffle with great prizes and a live auction with autographed items from all Arizona professional sports teams.

The tournament and auctions raised $9,454.00. After the event, Cottonwood City Manager, Doug Bartosh, donated $546.00 to make it an even $10,000.00, which the highest amount raised in the history of this event.

The Verde Valley Fallen Heroes Committee would like to recognize all the businesses and organizations who donated products and/or money to help make this event such a great success.

– Tournament Sponsors – City of Cottonwood, Canyon Distributing (Coors Light), Pawn Palace, Law Enforcement Creations, Larry Green Chevrolet and Laserlyte.

– Verde Santa Fe Golf Course – Provided the golf course, raffle items, lunch and a great service.

– Donation of the gun for the gun raffle – Pawn Palace and Law Enforcement Creations

– Hole Sponsors – Signs 928 (also donated all needed signs), Cage Free Grooming, Old Town Frame Company, Trophies Unlimited, Laserlyte, Law Enforcement Creations, Pawn Palace, Joe Mulcaire Construction, Bedrock Landscape and Materials, Canyon Distributing, The Embroidery Shop, Yellow Pages.

– Donation items – Laserlyte, Law Enforcement Creations, Red Rock Dental, Funhavers, Canyon Distributing, Arizona Diamondbacks, Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Black Cow Café, Vinnies Pizza, Scottsdale Gun Club, Tan-Tastics Tanning Salon, Old Town Frame Company, Canine Country Club, Doug Bartosh, Sedona-Verde Valley Firefighter Charities, Money in the Mail.

– Live Auction Items – Phoenix Coyotes, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Cardinals and Kurt Warner’s First Things First Foundation.

The members and organizers of the Verde Valley Fallen Heroes Committee include:

Kevin Murie, Cottonwood Police Department
Josh Fradette, Cottonwood Police Department
Gareth Braxton, Cottonwood Police Department
Jim Iacovacci, Cottonwood Police Department (Volunteer)
Brandon Wacker, Cottonwood Fire Department
Steve Trautman, Cottonwood Fire Department
Melissa Stearley, Accounting

For further information please contact the Cottonwood Fire Department at 928-634-2741

Arizona’s cities and towns are successful because of the wonderful people who work  to make them so great. The Town of Gilbert is no exception.

Jack Young is the longest-standing employee in the history of the Town of Gilbert. He recently retired after serving the community for more than 39 years. In his time with the town, he served as a police officer, code compliance inspector, building inspector and the wastewater quality inspector.

Jack started with the Gilbert Police Department in 1976 as an officer, which he says to this day was his favorite assignment. He worked his way up the ranks and eventually became a commander in 1998. Jack was even named as the Acting Police Chief for six months in-between a retiring and new police chief.

After 25 years with the Gilbert Police Department, Jack retired and quickly transitioned into his new role as Gilbert’s Code Compliance Inspector; a position he held for three years. He later transitioned to work as a Building Inspector and after four years ventured on to Gilbert’s Public Works Department as the Wastewater Quality Inspector.

Jack is a prime example of Gilbert’s Vision to provide “Best in Class” service. He has won several awards during his time at the town including Police Officer of the Year (1977), Town Employee of the Year (1998), and the Town’s Pioneer Award for his work on Gilbert’s first Continuous Quality Improvements (CQI) Steering Committee.

Jack is one of many individuals who help Arizona cities & towns work each and every day. Congratulations, Jack!