The Paducah Police Department hosted its 15th annual Awards Ceremony on Thursday, January 30 at Walker Hall. During the ceremony, a total of 43 officers and non-sworn personnel along with one citizen were all presented with awards for their exceptional acts of service in 2024.
Sergeant Matthew Hopp was named employee of the year. He began his career at our agency in 2014. Sergeant Hopp quickly progressed into several different positions including Bomb Squad Team Leader and Police Training Officer before earning his gold chevrons, becoming a sergeant in 2018. An officer who nominated Sergeant Hopp said “With a positive attitude, Sergeant Hopp inspires others to the same mindset. His dedication and professionalism embody the values the Paducah Police Department strives for in its officers and supervisors."
Detective Casey Steenbergen and Detective Thomas Shiels were also honored, receiving a Meritorious Service Award for their outstanding efforts in stopping a suspect armed with a handgun during a robbery-in-progress in May of 2024. This is the second-highest honor given by the Paducah Police Department in recognition of a “highly unusual accomplishment by the employee, under highly adverse conditions and with some degree of hazard to the life and safety of the employee, where death or injury to another is prevented."
Angel Smith was honored with a Citizen Service Award for her role in obtaining crucial information to reunite a young autistic woman with her family. This award is given by our department “for the performance of an outstanding act or service by a citizen that contributes to the saving of a human life or substantially aids a police officer in the performance of their duties.”
A total of 60 awards were given to sworn personnel, non-sworn personnel, and a citizen of our community. Those awards include:
5 Year Safe Driving Awards
Detective Corey Willenborg
Detective Chelsee Breakfield
Officer Matthew Strohmeier
Officer Benjamin Anthony
Officer Logan Barrow
Officer Carlos Kerley
Detective Casey Steenbergen
15 Year Safe Driving Awards
Captain Justin Hodges
Officer Travis Counts
Officer Derik Perry
20 Year Safe Driving Award
Chief Brian Laird
Administrative Awards
Sergeant Matthew Hopp
Officer Blake Quinn
Officer Zane White (2nd)
Officer Eric Abbott
Officer Cassandra Ravens
Citizen Service Award
Angel Smith
Service Commendations
Dispatcher Hillary Fowler (3rd)
Dispatcher Auston Scutt (4th)
Dispatcher Kimberly Lauderdale
Dispatcher Taryn Reed (2nd)
Dispatcher Stephanie Goins
Dispatcher Emilee Jones (3rd)
Dispatcher Ryan Sallee
Dispatcher McCall Buckingham
Dispatcher Coby Fauver
Officer Logan Barrow (5th)
Dispatcher Tara Martin (2nd)
Dispatcher Hillary Fowler (4th)
Dispatcher Coby Fauver (2nd)
Captain Steve Thompson (5th)
Officer Derik Perry (6th)
Officer Zane White (3rd)
Officer James Robbins (8th)
Officer Dana Davie (6th)
Sergeant Matthew Hopp (4th)
Detective Danny Slack (5th)
Dispatcher Hillary Fowler (5th)
Officer Cassandra Ravens (2nd)
Records Clerk Vicki Miller (4th)
Evidence Tech. Sabrina Miller (3rd)
Sr. Admin. Assistant Jessica Young
Officer Dana Davie (7th)
Officer Cassandra Ravens (3rd)
Lifesaving Awards
Officer Brandon Cupp (3rd)
Officer Michael Vowell
Officer Rachel Bertrand
Officer Brandon Cupp (4th)
Officer William Hendrickson (4th)
Officer Rachel Bertrand (2nd)
Officer Daniel Hunerkoch (2nd)
Officer Julia Cross (2nd)
Officer Brooke Adams
Officer Coy Dotson
Officer Rachel Bertrand (3rd)
Officer Zane White (3rd)
Officer Fred Harvey
Officer Logan Barrow
Meritorious Service Awards
Detective Casey Steenbergen
Detective Thomas Shiels
2024 Employee of the Year
Sergeant Matthew Hopp
