Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Deputy of the Year for 2016
Dfc. Jeffrey Denton
Prince Frederick, MD – The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office held its annual awards ceremony Tuesday, Feb. 7 at Calvert High School (CHS) auditorium. Recipients included the agency’s best rated uniformed and plain clothes deputies, top correctional officers and a few civilians.
One of the highlights came toward the end of the 90 minute ceremony when Sheriff Mike Evans announced the Deputy of the Year for 2016, Dfc. Jeffrey Denton. The sheriff described the veteran deputy as one who has excelled in both the areas of patrol and investigation.
“We are here to serve and protect,” Denton told TheBayNet.com during an interview last summer about modern police technology. “Our integrity is everything.”
In addition to the top deputy honor, Denton also received an award for outstanding performance by a five-year deputy and was part of a group award along with other members of his patrol squad. Denton and Lt. William Parrott received a Sheriff’s Commendation for their response to a situation involving a suicidal person.
One of the evening’s more touching moments came when the Brown family of Lusby came forward to personally thank Dfc. Jeffrey Hardesty for his lifesaving actions that saved Mr. Brown, who was having a heart attack. Hardesty was given a standing ovation by several of his fellow deputies and other guests.
The sheriff’s office’s Detective of the Year for 2016 was Dfc. Christopher Wells. Evans noted that Wells has taken the lead in the investigation of a cold case that has remained unsolved for over 30 years. The sheriff expressed confidence that Wells’ persistence will eventually solve the case and possibly result in an arrest.
There was a tie for the agency’s Rookie of the Year for 2016, with deputies Vincent O’Donnell and Kirk Williamson selected for the honor.
Calvert County State’s Attorney Laura Martin also presented an award to Wells for his detective work in assisting her office with the prosecution of cases. She also bestowed a similar honor to Dfc. Justin Livingston as the State’s Attorney’s Office’s top patrol deputy for the year.
Evans presented Sheriff’s Excellence in Law Enforcement awards to three groups of deputies, including a team of six (Cpl. John McCarroll and deputies first-class Thomas Buckler, Richard Hawkins, Roscoe Kreps, Joseph Migliaccio and Livingston) for their apprehension of a pair of fleeing armed robbers.
The Calvert County Detention Center also honored its top correctional officers. The Correctional Office of the Year from 2016 was Cfc. David Cook and CO1 John Ashley was selected as 2016 Rookie of the Year. Additionally, Cfc. Ross Montgomery received an award for exemplary performance and meritorious awards were given to correctional officers first-class James Flynt and Daniel Morrison.
Other awardees included Cpl. James Wahlgren, patrol supervisor of the year; ACO Timothy Lewis, animal control officer of the year; Cheryl Draheim, civilian of the year; and Deputy Brian Pounsberry, “Beach” deputy of the year.
Additionally, three members of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Explorers Post 91 were recognized. They were Sarah Clark, William Wood and Ethan Shultz.
At the start of the ceremony, Assistant Sheriff Major Dave McDowell noted that deputies responded to over 73,000 calls in 2016. In his overview of 2016 Evans stated that last year violent crime was reduced by 10 percent.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
