Carmel Police Department honors local heroes at annual awards banquet

(Above left) Carmel Police Chief Jim Barlow (left) presented Teresa Anderson (right) with the Carmel Police Department’s 2018 Civilian Employee of the Year Award. (Above right) Major Dave Strong (left) and Chief Jim Barlow (right) presented Carmel Police Detective Adam Theis (center) with the 2018 Officer of the Year award. (Photos provided)

The Carmel Police Department recently held its annual Awards and Recognition banquet. This formal event recognizes employees of the police department for outstanding service and heroic deeds.

This year Carmel Police Department recognized approximately 50 employees for highly credible acts of service during the 2018 year. There were 25 additional employees recognized for their dedicated years of service to the city of Carmel.

Distinguished Service

This award is given for a highly creditable act in the line of duty or employment showing initiative and accomplishment, which brings acclaim to the officer, the police department, or the City of Carmel. An officer selected for this award will receive a distinguished service commendation bar.

Distinguished Service Awards were given to following employees: Detective John Pirics, Detective Mark Paris, Sgt. Sean Brady, Sgt. Phil Hobson, Detective Billy Haymaker, Officer Mike Morley, Detective Adam Theis and Detective Matt Kinkaid.

Life Saving Award

This award is given to a member of the department who physically takes action, which directly results in the saving of a person’s life from imminent danger or from the likelihood of certain death.

Life Saving Awards were given to the following employees: Detective Adam Theis, Officer Mike Morley, Officer Matt Keinsley, Officer Dustin VanTreese and Officer Kevin Kinghorn.

Meritorious Service

This award is given for a particularly notable accomplishment in the line of duty showing outstanding initiative and achievement under adverse conditions with some degree of hazard to the officer. Any officer selected for this award will receive a commendation bar.

Meritorious Service Awards were given to the following employees: Officer Cody Barlow, Sgt. John McAllister, Officer Mike Miller, Officer Mikel Leach and Officer Jon Rice.

Officer and Civilian of the Year

An officer and civilian of the year is selected annually by the Chief of Police from nominations submitted.

Two highly notable awards were given to the 2018 Civilian and Officer of the Year. Teresa Anderson received the Civilian of the Year and Detective Adam Theis received the Officer of the Year.

Carmel Police Department would also like to thank the following sponsors for helping support the event: Zotec Partners, Carmel Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #185, Holistic Financial Partners and ACB Insurance Inc.