2025 Public Safety Awards Recipients

The 2025 The Public Safety Awards were held on Thursday, April 3 at the Frederick Events Center at the Clarion Inn. The Public Safety Awards offer the community a chance to shine a spotlight on the dedicated professionals who make our communities safer every day. These public safety professionals wear many uniforms. They are the courageous police officers who patrol our streets, the fearless firefighters who rush into danger, the dedicated EMTs who save lives in emergencies, the vigilant security personnel who protect our institutions, the integral communicators who answer the 911 calls, and many more. Missed the ceremony? Click below to watch the televised recording!

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Frederick County Sheriff’s Office 
Life Saving Award: Deputy First Class Cassy Boettcher
Distinguished Service Award: Detective Bryce McGuire
Officer of the Year: Sergeant Nathan Rector
Civilian Employee of the Year: Technology Manager Ha Van
Unit Achievement Award: Criminal Investigation Section

Maryland State Police 
Distinguished Service Award: Senior Trooper Douglas Hopkins
Leadership Award: Trooper First Class Gabriel Berger
Officer of the Year: Trooper First Class Albert Kittoe

Mount Airy Police Department 
Officer of the Year: Patrolman First Class Gregory Gebhart

Brunswick Police Department 
Officer of the Year: Detective Corporal Gary Cline

Frederick Police Department 
Distinguished Service Award: Detective Dave DeWees
Officer of the Year: Officer First Class Nicholas Aylward
Civilian Employee of the Year: Assistant Communications Supervisor Samantha Green
Outstanding Telecommunicator of the Year: Emergency Communications Specialist Sarena Bowers
Unit Achievement Award: City Tactical Investigation Unit

Frederick County Animal Control 
Officer of the Year: Animal Control Officer Emily Fry

Frederick County Division of Fire & Rescue Services
Silver Medal of Bravery: Station 33 - C Shift: Captain David Lal, Firefighter Technician Michael Suckenik, Firefighter II Stephen H. Martin
Bronze Medal of Outstanding Performance: Station 31 - B Shift: Firefighter I Ty Grossnickle, Firefighter III Lance Gibson, Firefighter Medic III Jose Silva
Life Saving Award: Station 30 - B Shift: Firefighter Medic III Kerrie Malta, EMT Briannah Gaigalas, Lieutenant Medic Michael Steele, EMT Nate Lerman
Distinguished Achievement: Logistics Technician Phil Thacker
Supervisor of the Year: Lieutenant Medic Cameron Pressman
Medic of the Year: Firefighter Medic III Zackary Kline
Career Firefighter of the Year: Firefighter III Mike Herrod
Probationary Firefighter of the Year: Firefighter I Nicole Taylor
Volunteer Firefighter of the Year: EMS Lieutenant Jeana Panarella
Outstanding Citizen Award: Tracey King

Frederick County Emergency Communications 
Outstanding Telecommunicator of the Year: Emergency Communications Specialist III Maggie Walters
Leadership Award: Manager Thomas Ward
Meritorious Award: Teams C & E: Emergency Communications Specialist I Sydney Smith, Emergency Communications Specialist II Caitlin Byrne, Emergency Communications Specialist III Joseph Lease, Emergency Communications Specialist III Morgan Mackenzie, Emergency Communications Specialist IV Mark Johnson, Manager Cathryn Caw

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