Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan hugs her daughter Jaymi Sterling after Director of Aging and Human Services Lori Jennings-Harris (l) presented Sterling with one of the Officer of the Year awards.

California, MD — Mother and daughter hugged in the receiving line. The mother was Mrs. Yumi Hogan, first lady of the state of Maryland. Her daughter, St. Mary’s County Assistant State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling was one of the Officer of the Year recipients at the 16th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day held May 10 at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center in California.

The event is sponsored every year by the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County, the Department of Aging & Human Services and the Triad/Salt Council. Law enforcement agencies select their own candidates for officer of the year. This year, 10 officers were selected. They are:

• St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office – Deputy First Class Rozier Steinbach, serving since 2011
• St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division – Correctional Officer First Class Kristie L. Andre, serving since 2012
• Maryland State Fire Marshal – Deputy Fire Marshal II Melissa R. Decker, serving since 2010
• St. Mary’s College of Maryland Public Safety – Public Safety Officer Lori Brasko, serving since 2015
• Maryland State Police Barrack T – Trooper First Class Casey M. Ruth, serving since 2012. She was the first female officer selected for the honor by MDSP. She led MSP in arrests in 2015.
• Patuxent River Police Department, Department of Public Safety – Patrolman First Class Joseph Figert, serving since 2014
• Maryland State Police Aviation Division – Maryland State Police Civilian Pilot III Claude J. Boushey, Sr., serving since 2008
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources Area 4 – Officer First Class Jason Kreider
• U.S. Coast Guard St. Inigoes – Petty Officer Second Class Walter R. Urban, IV, serving since 2006
• Office of the State’s Attorney of St. Mary’s County – Assistant State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling, serving since 2011 

Before the awards ceremony, Mrs. Hogan presented a proclamation for the day on behalf of her husband. She was among a bevy of elected officials on hand to do the honors, including all of the county commissioners, Del. Deb Rey for the county delegation and Rachel Jones representing Sen. Barbara Mikulski and Sue Kullen representing Sen. Ben Cardin.

Sheriff’s Department Chaplain Steve Kooy of BridgeWay Community Church gave the memorial for fallen officers. He noted that one of his relatives had just retired from a career in law enforcement and how his family was relieved that he survived. “Things are getting a little crazy out there,” he observed.

Sheriff Tim Cameron noted that another two officers had been killed in the line of duty overnight, bringing the total to 35 across the country for this year. And Sen. Cardio in his letter honored the three law enforcement officers from Maryland killed in the line of duty last year.

Noting the Law Enforcement Officer Memorial, with the names of those who have fallen in the line of duty, Cameron said, “May the last name on the wall be the last name on the wall.”

Commissioners of St. Mary’s County President Randy Guy acted as master of ceremonies for the event.

The ceremony featured the somber bagpipe solos of Hal Cummings. Colors were presented by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and Knights of Columbus color guards. The Leonardtown High School Bella Voice presented the National Anthem.

After the ceremony lunch was provided by Brinsfield Funeral Home.

Triad, one of the sponsors, is a three-way commitment among local law enforcement, the Department of Aging and Human Services and agencies that support the senior citizens and retired citizens of the county.

Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com