Milton officers awarded

photo by MEGHAN ERKKINEN

MILTON POLICE OFFICERS PRESENTED CHIEF BILL RHOADS, SHOWN ABOVE, WITH A GIFT AT A POLICE DEPARTMENT AWARDS BANQUET APRIL 16.

Milton police officers and community members were awarded for their service April 16 at a banquet at the Mill Ridge Village retirement community. About 60 police officers and community members turned out for the ceremony.

Bill Downey and Kevin Williams were given medals of merit. Mike Wada was honored for 30 years of service to the Milton Police Department. Chris Alexander was named officer of the year. And community member Marjorie Dickson was given a certificate of appreciation for her contributions to the department.

“Through their efforts, hard work and service…we’re a different community now,” said keynote speaker Kenyon Luce. “You’re the front line and you’re the people who make a difference,” he added, addressing Milton’s police officers.

“This banquet is to recognize what the officers do not only in policing, but what they contribute to the community,” said Milton Police Chief Bill Rhoads. “In addition to patrol and investigations, they donate time to work with youngsters by reading stories at preschools and promoting anti-drug/alcohol programs in the middle schools.”

The banquet was the first held by the newly formed Milton Police Department Founda-tion. The foundation seeks to help the police department fund projects that are not covered by Milton’s criminal justice budget.

“While many scams and other crimes are increasing, the property owners of Milton likely do not want tax increases that would expand the police department’s budget and crime-fighting resources,” said foundation Vice President Bryan Ott.

The police department has identified specific projects, which will be funded through a variety of special events and a citizen-based membership in the foundation, Ott added.

The foundation’s board of directors in-cludes representatives from all aspects of the community, including city government, the Fife School District and local businesses. The foundation’s president is Mill Ridge program director Deborah Berglund.

For more information about the Milton Police Department Foundation, contact board Secretary John McCrossin, principal of Surprise Lake Middle School, at (253) 517-1302, or Deborah Berglund at Mill Ridge Village, at (253) 925-9200.

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