Deputy Sheriff receives 2016 Peace Officer Award

Deputy Sheriff receives 2016 Peace Officer Award

 

(MTN) -Muskegon County Deputy Sheriff Tom Schmidt received the Peace Officer of the Year Award from the Michigan Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) on Saturday, June 25, for saving lives at a high school basketball game in Muskegon in February.

Officer Schmidt was serving on a routine security detail when gunfire broke out in the parking lot of Muskegon Heights High School.  He made his way toward a young man wielding a pistol and firing randomly at people.  The suspect ignored Schmidt’s repeated demands to drop his weapon, so to prevent any loss of innocent life, the officer fired into the suspect’s arm, abdomen and thigh, subduing him.

“Deputy Schmidt’s actions that night were truly heroic,” says David Hiller, executive director of Michigan Fraternal Order of Police.  “Every day officers risk their own lives to protect and serve others in their communities, and that’s exactly what Deputy Schmidt did that night.”

The Peace Officer of the Year award is given annually to a law enforcement nominee from anywhere in Michigan who exemplifies dedication to public service and safety.

FOP is the world’s largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 330,000 members in more than 2,200 lodges.  FOP is committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those it serves through education, legislation, information, community involvement and employee representation.

Attachments area

1928 Views

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.