Citizens and Officers Honored by Oakland County Sheriff’s Office During Annual Awards Ceremony

Residents and Officers Honored by Oakland County Sheriff’s Workplace Throughout Annual Awards Ceremony

(OCSO, Might 19, 2025)

Oakland County, MI – The exemplary works of Oakland County Sheriff’s Workplace deputies, workers and native residents had been celebrated, acknowledged and in a single somber occasion – memorialized – as we speak through the Nationwide Peace Officers Day annual awards ceremony.

The honors included lifesaving and valor citations, citizen and neighborhood service awards, and the announcement of 9 Sheriff’s Workplace ”Of the 12 months” recognitions.

The honorees had been acknowledged and thanked earlier than a standing-room solely ceremony held within the Board of Commissioners Auditorium on the county campus in Pontiac.

“We thanks for stepping ahead when it’s a lot simpler to face nonetheless,” Undersheriff Timothy Willis mentioned. An particularly poignant second of this system got here when Deputy Bradley Reckling was posthumously honored with a valor quotation. Reckling was fatally shot on June 22, 2024, whereas conducting surveillance on a stolen automobile. Three suspects had been finally arrested and charged within the murder.

The valor quotation learn, partly: “He was a devoted public servant, revered colleague, and above all, a loving husband and father of 4 His braveness, professionalism, and selfless devotion to responsibility symbolize the very best beliefs of legislation enforcement… His reminiscence will ceaselessly stand as a testomony to the braveness and dedication of those that serve.” Sheriff Michael Bouchard was unable to attend as we speak’s ceremony as he was attending a sequence of occasions in Washington D.C. throughout which Deputy Reckling was honored. Bouchard and 40 of Reckling’s colleagues had been in attendance with Reckling’s widow.

The native ceremony was adopted by a 21-gun salute from the Sheriff’s Workplace Honor Guard, the taking part in of Faucets, and Superb Grace by a bagpiper to honor the most of the fallen legislation enforcement heroes from the previous yr. “Every day I’m pleased with the women and men of the Sheriff’s Workplace who swimsuit up and exit keen to threat their lives to serve and shield our neighborhood,” Bouchard mentioned from Washington. “Throughout Police Week, it offers us a particular alternative to thank them and acknowledge their achievements.”

Native 4 Information anchor Ty Steele was the grasp of ceremonies for the occasion. Group members and companies honored as we speak with Citizen Citations had been:

• Naveyah Lemmon: An Orion Township resident employed as a Okay-9 handler with the Novi Police reported his Okay-9 lacking from his yard. The OCSO promptly began a seek for the canine. In the meantime, a detective on the Orion Township Substation seen a social media put up from 17-year-old Naveyah Lemmon who discovered the canine, taken it to a veterinarian, and stored it secure in her dwelling.

• Jamison Maynard: Maynard was attending a household Christmas social gathering when a member of the family collapsed. Alongside his cousin, Sergeant Melissa Nations, he carried out chest compressions and rescue respiratory till emergency providers arrived.

• Brandon Shaya: The proprietor of C.J. Mahoney’s in Rochester, Shaya is a longtime supporter of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Workplace and has prolonged his help in varied methods, together with offering meals and drinks whereas the company suffered by way of the grief of shedding considered one of its personal and within the aftermath of the Splash Pad capturing. Shaya additionally offered meals to the motorcade because it traveled with the assorted candidates on the marketing campaign trails through the presidential season.

• Sean Stockman: Stockman is a real neighborhood hero whose motto, “work onerous, love sturdy,” is the driving power behind his service. He helps clear up properties of individuals in want, dedicating lengthy hours and sweat fairness into reworking and enhancing whole neighborhoods. All that is completed without cost, as a result of Stockman loves his neighbors and desires to make a optimistic distinction of their lives.

• Larry McKenzie: McKenzie, of McKenzie Transferring & Storage, was honored for his contributions and help with the Sheriff’s annual Coats for the Chilly Coat Drive in addition to in different neighborhood service efforts. Since 2015, McKenzie has donated the usage of moveable storage items for coat assortment at a number of coat drive places for your complete month of November. He donated storage containers through the bottle and may drive for the Sheriff PAL program through the top of the pandemic, in addition to aiding with the transportation of collected bikes for the Sheriff’s Re-CYCLE for Youngsters program.

• Vibe Credit score Union: Vibe Credit score Union has teamed up with the Sheriff’s Workplace on many impactful tasks, together with free neighborhood doc shredding occasions, the Soak N Summer season waterpark occasion for youths, and the Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial Cookout. Vibe additionally sends its volunteers to charitable and neighborhood occasions across the county, constructing significant partnerships. They’re additionally working to ensure extra individuals have entry to secure housing, wholesome meals, and monetary schooling.

• Christ Church Cranbrook: Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills places religion into motion by way of impactful outreach that meets actual neighborhood wants. They help packages like Coats for the Chilly and Cops N Cribs, companion with Versiti to host quarterly blood drives, and assist struggle meals insecurity by serving meals on the Baldwin Middle and Lighthouse Shelter.

• Waterfall Jewelers: This Waterford retailer offers again to native colleges, church buildings, and civic teams, by donating reward certificates or jewellery for fundraising auctions. The workers shares its time, abilities, and assets with varied causes. A family-run enterprise that simply celebrated its forty fifth anniversary in the neighborhood has been devoted to native charities for years.

• Brooke Blomberg: Blomberg, an off-duty registered nurse, was driving when she noticed a male jogger seize his chest and collapse. She instantly stopped her automobile, referred to as 911, and started CPR till assist arrived. In a second of disaster, she rushed to assistance from a stranger on the facet of a busy highway.

• Allyson Dale: Since August 2024, Dale raised over $20,000 in donations in cooperation with the Thomas Richards Basis to purchase six K9 ballistic vests for our K9 Unit. She labored diligently, with out compensation, to boost funds for this life-saving tools. She can also be forming “The K9 Protection Fund,” a 501 (c)3 group that will probably be devoted to buying further tools for Oakland County K9s and different space company K9 items

• Legion Barbecue: On Sept. 14, 2024, a barbecue fundraiser organized by the Legion Barbecue was held on the Berkley American Legion Submit #374 to help the household of slain Deputy Bradley Reckling. Volunteers devoted tons of of hours to planning and getting ready for the occasion. With over a thousand attendees, the occasion raised roughly $45,000 for the Reckling household.

• Olympia Leisure – Mike Gibson: The Sheriff’s Workplace Motor Unit acknowledges the beneficiant help of Mike Gibson and Olympia Leisure, whose contributions have offered the Motor Unit with a secure and managed coaching setting at Pine Knob. This preferrred location has allowed the unit to deal with coaching with out exterior dangers or limitations, guaranteeing that the coaching is each secure and efficient. Their generosity has made a long-lasting impression on the Motor Unit’s potential to coach with out obstacles.

• Natalie Nellett: Nellett demonstrated distinctive work in cataloging the huge proof within the Oxford Excessive Faculty capturing case. Her meticulous efforts had been essential in securing three convictions. Her dedication, precision, and professionalism in organizing and analyzing complicated knowledge ensured justice was served.

• Kara Obrecht: Obrecht demonstrated distinctive work in cataloging the huge proof within the Oxford Excessive Faculty capturing case. Her meticulous efforts performed a vital function in securing three convictions. Kara’s dedication, precision, and professionalism in organizing and analyzing complicated knowledge had been very important in guaranteeing justice was served.

Brooklands Splash Pad Taking pictures • On June 15, 2024, a lone gunman opened hearth on the Brooklands Splash Pad in Rochester Hills, injuring 10 individuals, together with a number of kids. Throughout this tragedy, native civilians stepped up and confirmed exceptional bravery and compassion. Earlier than legislation enforcement arrived, these people, listening to or witnessing the assault, instantly stepped in to offer lifesaving first help, together with making use of tourniquets and dressings. Some even drove victims of their private automobiles to security and referred to as family members on their private telephones. Their fast pondering, selflessness, and braveness within the face of hazard undoubtedly saved lives. The next individuals every obtained a Citizen Quotation for his or her extraordinary actions: Raymond Shaw II, Garland Whitney Jr., Stefanie Slate, Derek Slate, Nicole Boyd, Roseanna Martin, Eugene Bass, Antonio Bass, Haylee Koss, Kristopher Lockard, Thomas Schmidt, Melissa Natzke and Ashley Smith.

Chosen for Sheriff’s Workplace “Of the 12 months” honors had been:

Command Officer of the 12 months • Sergeant Joseph Ashley: Ashley was already well-known as a reliable {and professional} highway sergeant when he responded to stories of an lively shooter in Rochester Hills. Throughout the Splashpad capturing incident, Ashley took management of the chaotic scene, administered lifesaving tourniquets to victims, after which transitioned seamlessly into the function of SWAT commander as soon as the suspect was situated. His management ensured a coordinated and environment friendly decision to the incident.

Investigator of the 12 months • Detective Kyle Standifer: A member of the Narcotics Enforcement Staff, Standifer demonstrates unbelievable dedication in the direction of getting illicit substances off the road by relentlessly pursuing criminals. In 2024 he led NET in each search warrants and arrests, taking part in main circumstances the place firearms and important portions of medication had been seized. Standifer follows up every arrest in painstaking element to strengthen circumstances and forestall additional legal exercise.

Corrections Deputy of the 12 months • Deputy Ryan Lotan: Lotan is a stand-out Corrections Coaching Officer and member of each the Cell Extraction Staff and SWAT. Lotan persistently performs at a excessive degree and all the time seeks methods to enhance the circumstances of his colleagues. He’s a task mannequin for brand new deputies and is extremely revered by his friends, offering a optimistic and productive work setting.

Patrol Deputy of the 12 months • Deputy Jeremy Berquist: Berquist has labored for the OCSO for eight years and is well-known for his angle and serving to hand. He works the busy swing-shift within the Pontiac substation, dedicating his time to aiding his colleagues and the neighborhood. In 2024 he wrote 450 stories, essentially the most out of any patrol deputy, personifying all of the virtues required of legislation enforcement.

Communications Worker of the 12 months • Dispatch Specialist Shauna Bentley: Bentley has been with the OCSO for a couple of years however has already established herself as a stand-out crew member. In August 2024, she took a name that ended up saving the lifetime of a deputy’s member of the family. By way of her professionalism, focus, and dedication, she has proven herself to be an exemplary asset to the group.

Worker of the 12 months • Sheriff Administrative Specialist Adam Blankenship: Blankenship is the Freedom of Data Act (F.O.I.A.) coordinator. He’s a extremely expert {and professional} worker recognized for his multitasking skills, integrity, and optimistic angle. He expertly handles F.O.I.A. requests, guaranteeing compliance with legal guidelines, rules, and company practices whereas sustaining accuracy and authenticity to stop authorized points. He handles 1000’s of requests yearly, together with movies, subpoenas, and digital media.

Half-Time Deputy of the 12 months • Deputy Thom Seling: Seling is a retired lieutenant who returned to work part-time for the Coaching Unit. He is a crucial asset to the CTO program whose very important affect may be seen on every step of the coaching course of. Seling is an organized, hardworking asset to the company and helps maintain our new rent coaching packages the very best within the state.

Reserve of the 12 months • Reserve Sergeant Jason Kajy: Kajy is a crucial asset to the company. He volunteers his time for ride-alongs, Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, SWAT help, in addition to many neighborhood occasions, together with Sheriff PAL and Dream Cruise. Kajy is a task mannequin for the Reserve Unit.

Assist Providers Deputy of the 12 months • Deputy Stephanie Alston: Alston is a crucial a part of the Forensic Lab, performing as each an investigator together with her personal caseload in addition to a guiding hand to make sure high notch and individualized coaching. Alston goes above and past to help her colleagues, staying late to finish precedence circumstances and making herself out there whereas off-duty. Her caring and empathetic angle are important to the morale of the Forensic Lab.

Be taught extra about Oakland County Sheriff’s Workplace at https://www.oakgov.com/government/sheriff

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