Officers of the Year from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Deputy First Class Blaine Gaskill, left, Corporal William D. Ray and Correctional Officer First Class Patrick A. Britt stand with Sheriff Tim Cameron.
LEONARDTOWN, Md. – Three law enforcement officers from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were recognized and commended for their service on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at the 18th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day ceremony.
Recognized were Corporal William D. Ray, named St. Mary’s County Deputy of the Year; Correctional Officer First Class Patrick A. Britt, named as St. Mary’s County Correctional Officer of the Year, and Deputy First Class Blaine Gaskill, who received a special award for valorous conduct in response to a student shooting at Great Mills High School on March 20, 2018.
Sheriff Tim Cameron places a valorous conduct medal upon Deputy First Class Blaine Gaskill as Randy Guy, president of the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County observes.
“DFC Gaskill’s response to the shooting at Great Mills was a combination of his training and the intestinal fortitude it takes to place oneself in danger for the purpose of stopping an attack, thus saving the lives of students and staff,” St. Mary’s County Commissioner President Randy Guy said at the event at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center, as he read the nomination narratives.
“This true act of valor epitomizes the courage and character it takes to be a modern American Law Enforcement Officer,” Guy said.
Gaskill began with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office in 2009 as a Correctional Officer.
Nominated by Sheriff Tim Cameron, Cpl. Ray was awarded as Deputy of the Year. “Cpl. Ray was well known for being meticulous in every aspect of every duty. He was relentless in his investigations and possessed impeccable interview and interrogation skills,” Guy said.
“A true ambassador of the police profession, Cpl. Ray embodies professionalism and is an invaluable asset,” Guy said. “Cpl. Ray is the epitome of what all officers should emulate.”
Cpl. Ray joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1999 as a deputy and is a founding member of the Lexington Park Community Oriented Policing Unit (COPS).
Also nominated by Sheriff Cameron, Correctional Officer First Class Britt was awarded as Correctional Officer of the Year.
“CFC Britt was recognized for his extraordinary performance when one of the parents of an individual wrote a letter of appreciation boasting how Britt’s work ethic and patience impressed her son, making a life-changing impact by virtue of his relentless commitment to helping incarcerated individuals,” Guy said.
“CFC Britt excels with leadership, professionalism and team effort in his corrections career representing the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office with appreciable pride and dedication,” Guy said.
CFC Britt joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2012.
Cameron said at the event, “I thank all those that served for your commitment and courage and I thank your families for their sacrifices as well.”