Left to right, Assistant State’s Attorney Ashley N. Sowls, Dfc. Ted Yates, Public Safety Dispatcher Christina Harvey-Santivasci, Cdfc. David Unkle, Tfc. Shawn Matthews, Dfm. Brandon Shepperd, Cpl. Sarah Grice and Aco. Frederick Sheckels.
Prince Frederick, MD – For over half a century Optimist clubs throughout America have been recognizing the men and women who install law and order in communities. On Thursday, May 17 the Optimist Clubs of Calvert-Prince Frederick and Solomons saluted eight individuals at the 2018 Respect for Law Awards Banquet. The event was held at the St. John Vianney Family Life Center in Prince Frederick. In addition to the professionals, several students were recognized for their achievements in the Calvert County Public Schools’ (CCPS) Criminal Justice Program.
“The word ‘respect’ I cannot overuse,” declared Philip Mohler of the Calvert-Prince Frederick Optimist Club and the recognition’s chairman.
The 2018 honorees were: Correctional Deputy First Class David Unkle of the Calvert County Detention Center, Deputy State Fire Marshal Brandon Shepperd of the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, Animal Control Officer Frederick Sheckels of the Calvert County Animal Control Unit, Public Safety Dispatcher Christina Harvey-Santivasci of Calvert Emergency Communications, Corporal Sarah Grice of Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP), Assistant State’s Attorney Ashley N. Sowls of the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office, Trooper First Class Shawn Matthews of the Maryland State Police (MSP) and Deputy First Class Edward ‘Ted’ Yates of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office.
The award presenters had plenty of praise for the honorees. Detention Center Administrator Major T.D. Reece said Unkle, a 10-year veteran, was a mentor to the younger correctional officers, has great investigative skills as always shares “forward thinking” ideas for improving the facility’s security. Deputy Chief Fire Marshal John Nelson noted Shepperd, who joined the agency in 2015, conducted 39 investigations in 2017 and made 13 arson arrests. Calvert County Department of Public Safety Director Jacqueline K. Vaughan commended Sheckels for doing “a hard job” so well and working extra time to fill a void created when two other animal control officers were out. Dispatcher II Timothy Biscoe stated Harvey-Santivasci has created “a legacy of saving lives” and “does very well with her 911 calls.” Sergeant John Jowanowitch of the NRP called Grice “top notch,” noting that she “handles herself well in court” at hearings for alleged hunting and boating law violators and “works well with others.” Calvert County State’s Attorney Laura Martin said Sowls “treats everybody with great respect and compassion.” Maryland State Police Prince Frederick Barrack Commander Lt. Jimmie Meurrens declared Matthews was a “leader” with a region-wide reputation for conducting thorough investigations of series motor vehicle crashes. Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Roscoe Jones noted that Yates was hired by the agency in 2017 and “his stats are higher than all other deputies in his squad.”
Mohler noted during the presentations that Matthews was receiving the MSP’s recognition for the third year in a row. All the honorees are selected by their agencies for the annual award.
Calvert High School (CHS) Criminal Justice Program lead teacher Dawn Lister, who is also a member of the Calvert-Prince Frederick Optimist Club, presented two of the program’s outstanding students receiving awards. Ryan Buckmaster, a CHS senior, is bound for Valley Forge Military Academy. Samantha Bolin of Huntingtown High School has been accepted into the U.S. Coast Guard. Two other students—Mason Calvert of Patuxent High School and Chase Thomas of Northern High School—were not present to receive their awards.
The evening—which included a buffet provided by Maryland Country Caterers—did have one component of regret. The guest speaker, FBI Assistant Special Agent Nicholas Savage, had to cancel out at the 11th hour due to a work-related situation.
The local Optimists, who are busy year-round, will be aiding Project Graduation early next month. That program provides a safe post-graduation party for CCPS graduates following their school’s commencement ceremony.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
