Left to right, Cpl. Josh Underwood, Detective Ricardo Hawkins and Dfc. Galen Gott.
Prince Frederick, MD – The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office held its annual awards ceremony Friday evening, Feb. 19 at Calvert High School. Personnel—sworn and civilian—from the sheriff’s office and Calvert County Detention Center, were recognized for their 2015 accomplishments.
The 2015 Deputy of the Year was Dfc. Galen Gott, who joined the agency five years ago. Ricardo Hawkins was named 2015 Detective of the Year. The 2015 Correctional Officer of the Year was Cpl. Josh Underwood.
Two deputies, Timothy Mohler and Marshal Trigg, shared Rookie of the Year honors. The Detention center named Correctional Officer James Strain as its Rookie of the Year for 2015.
The sheriff’s office civilian employee of the year was Criminal Investigations Bureau record-keeper Christine Bowen.
Numerous group recognitions were also presented to deputies for performing such brave acts as disarming a dangerous suspect, rendering medical assistance to save a woman’s life, capturing suspects fleeing in motor vehicles—including one high speed chase in which four vehicles were damaged—giving aid to several people injured by a flash-fire on a boat during Solomons Independence Day celebration and even for helping to deliver a baby.
Among the volunteers earning recognition was Bill Smith, who was presented the 2015 Community Service Award.
“This is the part of the job I love,” Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans admitted. “You deserve it.”
In his opening remarks, Evans noted that the agency is increasing its drug enforcement efforts due to the rise in heroin overdoses and deaths.
Calvert County State’s Attorney Laura Martin presented two awards to the sheriff’s office on behalf of her staff. Noting that the prosecuting attorneys could not do a good job without law enforcement doing good work, Martin presented Deputy Joshua Buck with her office’s Road Deputy of the Year recognition. Deputy Meggan Quinn was recognized as the State’s Attorney’s Office choice for Detective of the Year.
Assistant Sheriff Major Dave McDowell asked for a moment of silence prior to the ceremony to reflect on the over 130 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty nationwide in 2015. McDowell noted 10 officers have lost their lives on the job since the new year began 50 days ago.
The Star Spangled Banner was sung at the ceremony by Joy Mitchell, who was accompanied on the piano by her husband, Dfc. Andre Mitchell.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
