Officer Shi-Peng Ma was named Milton Police’s Officer of Year, an honor bestowed for his professional, proactive policing work.

Ma was among many honored at MPD’s annual awards ceremony, held in Milton Municipal Court at the culmination of Police Week.

Deputy Police Chief Chris Ward described Ma as “the definition of a dedicated public servant,” pointing to his “exceptional work” and “numerous accolades.” Ma recently took on the role as one of Milton’s School Liaison Officers.

Another major honor – Supervisor of the Year – went to Sgt. Luke Hayduk. He was lauded, by Ward, as being widely respected, attuned to the wants and needs of fellow officers, and dedicated to supporting them.

HOME DEPOT RECOGNIZED FOR SUPPORT

Those were the final two awards given out during the annual ceremony, which Chief Jason Griffin described as “one of the most meaningful (events) we have as an agency.”

Mayor Peyton Jamison, who was joined by City Councilmembers Brian Dolan and Juliette Johnson at the event, said the awards pay tribute to how officers acted in “real moments when someone chose to do the right thing even when it was difficult.”

Addressing all members of the Milton Police Department, the Mayor added, “Please know the City sees you, values you, and is better for your service. Thank you.”

Soon after those opening remarks, Chief Griffin publicly swore in four new Milton officers – Karina Contreras, Carl Cooper, Stefan Moncrief, and Noah Stowers. A loved one “pinned” each one before they posed for a group picture.

Ten officers then received the day’s only recognition not given by the Milton Police. The Officer Jeremy Labonte Awards came from the Roswell Police – named for the Roswell Police Officer killed last year in the line of duty – for area colleagues who selflessly, kindly helped that department in the aftermath of Labonte’s death. The Milton recipients were Robert Ateca, Ingrid Smith, Andrew Richards, Hunter Ray, Ma, Sarah Ellison, James Tomalka, Gaetano Todaro, Jason Jackson, and Alexander Huffman.

Several civilians received honors during the May 15 event as well.

The Citizen Service Medal went to a representative of the Home Depot off Windward Parkway, a store that “steps up all the time” to support Milton Police, according to Ward.

Records Clerk Veronica Hernandez earned the Civilian of the Year Award. And the Chief’s Award for Excellence was taken home by Crime and Intelligence Analyst Jammie Peters.

Members of the Milton Police Department honored during the ceremony included:

• Lt. Logan Pacheco, receiving a Professional Education Ribbon for completing Guardian Leadership and GA POST Management courses
• Det. Randy Dula, another Professional Education Ribbon recipient for his completion of the FBI LEEDA Trilogy – a comprehensive, three-pronged leadership program
• Officer Julia Ross, whose master’s degree from Liberty University earned her an education ribbon of her own
• Sgt. Luke Hayduk and Officer Ingrid Smith, both taking home Instructor Ribbons for their work to help train Milton Police officers
• Officer Michael Piurkowski, a recipient of the Military Service Award for his ongoing service in the U.S. Army
• Officer Josh Harrell, who got a Lifesaving Award for successfully resuscitating someone just over a year ago

Sgt. David Little earned three awards – a Combat Cross, Purple Heart and Medal of Valor, the latter two being the first ever of their kind bestowed in Milton Police’s history. All related to an incident in Roswell that Little responded to as a member of the North Fulton SWAT team.