Duluth PD Hands Out Awards to Top Officers of 2013

The Duluth Police Department handed out awards to the top officers in 2013.

The department’s annual Awards Luncheon banquet was the product of an effort of local businesses and community leaders who came together to keep the event going, despite it being cut from the city budgets several years ago as a cost-saving measure.

According to a City of Duluth press release:

For the fifth year, Anna Huthmaker, of Huthmaker Violins, headed up Project Appreciation. This all began when Anna heard that due to budget cuts, the police department quietly decided that instead of cutting any amount from a service to the community, they would do away with their annual awards banquet. This was unacceptable to her. From there, Anna has taken it upon herself each year to contact members of the community to make donations so the police department may continue to have a nice banquet to award those officers that risk their lives each and every day.

Among the honorees were:

• Officer Tony Thaxton - Officer of the Year
• Lt. Robert Montgomery - “Top Gun” Award (Marksmanship)
• Sgt. Steve Walker – “Top Gear” Award (Driving)
• Sgt. Scott Smith – Police Star
• Sgt. Shawn Hamlin - Supervisor of the Year
• Det. Teria Russell – Meritorious Service Award
• Jessica Lake - Civilian Employee of the Year

Other honorees received commendations including Det. Fran Foster, Capt. Mark Hunter, Sgt.William Petty, Sgt. Steve Daniels, Officer Liz Eichler, K-9 Officer John Gladden, K-9 Bennie, MPO Joe Dang, Det. Bobby Johnson, MPO Donnie Diggs, MPO Terry Stewart, Det. Javier Bahamundi, Supervisor Jessie Flowers, SCO Cynthia White, Lt. Chuck Wilson, Dt. Teria Russell, CSI Lea Elam and SRO Meegan Miller.