ORPD Annual Awards Ceremony - 2018 Recipients


May 16, 2018

May 13 – May 19, 2018, is National Police Week. In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which that date falls as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays tribute to the local, state, and federal peace officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty, for the safety and protection of others.

ORPD hosted two events on May 15, 2018; a memorial service featuring Anderson County District Attorney General Dave Clark as the keynote speaker, and an awards ceremony for ORPD personnel and their families, as well as the public and other outside agency personnel to be honored.

"I am very pleased to announce a number of employees and outside agency personnel received awards, letters of commendation and certificates of appreciation at this year’s awards ceremony," Chief Jim Akagi said. "I want to thank the members of the committee, Cindy Tipton, Roy Heinz, Ray Steakley, Philip Knight, and Nathan Stinnett, for their hard work in reviewing the nominations and determining who will be recognized."

View photos from the awards ceremony on our Facebook page


The full list of honorees for 2018 is as follows:

  • Awards of Valor: 
    • Officer Matt Johnston
    • Officer Perry Lewis
    • Officer Jeremy Phillips
    • Officer Trae Sweeten

  • Lifesaving Awards: 
    • Officer Tim Buckner
    • Officer Kevin Merritt
    • Officer Trae Sweeten
  • Special Act or Service Awards: 
    • Officer Tim Buckner
    • Investigator Mike Swigert

  • Letters of Commendation:
    • Lieutenant Matt Tedford                  
    • Sergeant Karen Jenkins
    • Sergeant Pete Nance
    • Sergeant Shannah Newman
    • Officer Philip Knight
    • Officer Chris Luethge
    • Officer Chuck Martin
    • Officer Ryan Martini
    • Officer Kyle Scott
    • Officer Billy Weaver
    • Investigator Mike Swigert
    • Records Specialist Heather Ashley

  • Certificates of Appreciation:
    • COR Fire Department Battalion Chief Todd Derrick
    • COR Public Works Fleet Maintenance Foreman Dave Coots
    • COR Public Works Street & Fleet Maintenance Manager Mike Miller
    • COR Information Services Communications Specialist Sarah Self
    • COR Community Development Specialist Matt Widner
    • COR Codes Enforcement Officer Spartacus Jordan
    • District Attorney General’s Office Investigator Robert Higgs
    • Assistant District Attorney Ryan Spitzer
    • U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Resident-Agent-in-Charge Mike Sarhatt
    • U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Group Supervisor Tom Bevins
    • Appalachia HIDTA Demand Reduction Coordinator Neil Morgenstern