Justice Department Honors Law Enforcement Officers in Sixth Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing

Before the event, recipients of the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing met with Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in the Attorney General’s conference room.

“The Attorney General’s award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing recognizes officers, deputies, and troopers for exceptional efforts in the areas of criminal investigations, field operations, and innovative community policing strategies.”

-Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Director Hugh T. Clements Jr.

“The Justice Department is proud to celebrate the individuals being recognized today. I have read your stories and know that you epitomize community policing at its best. Community policing advances community safety by building trust, respect, and collaboration between police and communities. It’s a model of policing that respects civil rights and engages the community as a full partner in creating safer communities for police and residents alike.”

-Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta

“Every day, law enforcement officers across the country work to protect their communities. They forge and maintain strong community ties that are essential to ensuring public safety. And they put their lives on the line to make their communities better places to live...to every officer here today, and to our honorees in particular: thank you for all that you have done for our communities. And thank you for all that you continue to do. The Justice Department and our country are grateful to you.”

-Attorney General Merrick B. Garland

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in community policing in the category of “Criminal Investigations for an agency serving more than 250,000” was awarded to Sergeant David A. Benjamin with the Norfolk, Virginia Police Department.

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in community policing in the category of “Criminal Investigations for an agency serving more than 250,000” was also awarded to Detective Corporal Christopher Crawford with the Maine State Police.

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in community policing in the category of “Criminal Investigations for an agency serving between 50,000 and 250,000 residents” was awarded to both Detective Kimberly Laster and Detective Maria Llovio with the Sarasota, Florida Police Department.

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in community policing in the category of “Criminal Investigations for an agency serving between 50,000 and 250,000 residents” was also awarded to Detective Erik Whitlock with the North Richmond Hills, Texas Police Department.

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in community policing in the category of “Criminal Investigations for an agency serving fewer than 50,000 residents” was awarded to Detective Ezekiel Sisneros with the Monte Vista, Colorado Police Department.

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in community policing in the category of “Field Operations for an agency serving over 250,000 residents” was awarded to Officer Pedram Farhang with the Oakland, California Police Department.

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in community policing in the category of “Field Operations for an agency serving over 250,000 residents” was also awarded to both Deputy Tanya Garcia and Deputy Esteban Hernandez with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Texas.

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in community policing in the category of “Field Operations for an agency serving between 50,000 and 250,000 residents” was awarded to both Patrolman First Class Demetrius Amos and Patrolman First Class MacKenzie Handel with the Pocatello, Idaho Police Department.

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in community policing in the category of “Field Operations for an agency serving over fewer than 50,000 residents” was awarded to Officer Sheena Shelton with the Forest Park, Georgia Police Department.

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in community policing in the category of “Field Operations for an agency serving over fewer than 50,000 residents” was also awarded to Officer Marc Navarro with the Los Alamitos, California Police Department.

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in community policing in the category of “Innovations in Community Policing for an agency serving more than 250,000 residents” was awarded to Officer Grace Albritton with the St. Petersburg, Florida Police Department.

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in community policing in the category of “Innovations in Community Policing for an agency serving more than 250,000 residents” was also awarded to Officer Jimmy Pittman, the Second, with the Oakland, California Police Department.

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in community policing in the category of “Innovations in Community Policing for an agency serving between 50,000 and 250,000 residents” was awarded to Officer Yessenia Diaz with the city of Miramar, Florida Police Department.

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in community policing in the category of “Innovations in Community Policing for an agency serving between 50,000 and 250,000 residents” was also awarded to Officer Henni Hamby with the Tallahassee, Florida Police Department.

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in community policing in the category of “Innovations in Community Policing for an agency serving between 50,000 and 250,000 residents” was also awarded to Officer Michael Peale with the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Police Department.

The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in community policing in the category of “Innovations in Community Policing for an agency serving fewer than 50,000 residents” was awarded to Officer Heather McClelland with the Groton, Connecticut Police Department.

Pictured: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta look upon the award receivers.

Pictured: COPS Director Hugh T. Clements Jr. stands with distinguished policemen and policewomen in the Great Hall at the Department of Justice.