ARLINGTON – Officer Lucas Adkins was named the Arlington Police Department Employee of the Year at its recent annual awards banquet.
The department recognized more than a dozen employees, volunteers and citizens.
Adkins was unanimously selected for displaying the highest values of the profession including teamwork, respect, integrity, professionalism and innovation.
Adkins received the Chief’s DUI Enforcement Award.
He also received a Commendation Medal along with Sgt. Rory Bolter and Officers Kendahl Beecher and Seth Kinney and K9 Oso. They responded to a shots fired and officer down call in Mount Vernon, exhibiting unusual courage involving unusual danger to themselves and others.
Life Saving Medals were presented to: Sgt. Mark Pennington for saving the life of a man critically injured in a traffic collision; and to Sgt. Peter Barrett and Beecher for saving the life of a teenage girl in need of medical and mental health care.
Other awards included:
•Chief’s Traffic Enforcement Award to Pen Cook. •Chief’s Community Engagement Award to Mike Gilbert.
•Commendation Medal to Deputy Chief Dan Cone for acquiring more than $300,000 in safety and operational equipment through competitive grants and donations.
Two organizations were recognized for their dedication to community partnerships, public safety and the city’s “All In” crime prevention campaign.
The Stillaguamish Tribe was recognized for its investment in the K9 program and equipment, including vehicles, computers and software.
And Arlington Veterinarian Hospital was recognized for the care provided to the department’s two K9’s, Oso and Tara.
Two citizen awards went to:
•Volunteer Maxine Jenft was recognized for the city’s National Night Out events. She has grown the program from three neighborhoods to a record 12.
•Vikki McMurray was recognized for her work to start the Wipe Out Graffiti campaign in Arlington. Her one-woman army to rid Arlington of graffiti has expanded to include more than 50 volunteers and over $1,600 in donations to keep the volunteers supplied with paint and other supplies.
