The Paducah Police Department held its 14th annual Awards Ceremony Thursday evening at Walker Hall, honoring outstanding acts and exceptional performance of duty in 2023.
Officer James Robbins was named Employee of the Year (pictured with Police Chief Brian Laird). Officer Robbins joined the police department in 2004. He serves as a firearms instructor and Police Training Officer, helping train new officers fresh out of the Basic Training Academy. For 20 years, he has served the citizens of Paducah “with compassion, fairness and a defining sense of honor,” according to his nomination.
Officer Robbins is eligible to retire, but continues to work at a high level, due to his passion for the job. He is the “go-to” officer for young officers seeking advice and guidance. We congratulate Officer Robbins on this honor.
Also honored was Officer A.J. Parrish, who received a Meritorious Service Award, the second-highest award given by the department. Officer Parrish risked his own safety when he physically restrained a young woman to prevent her from jumping off a bridge.
Four citizens were honored with Citizen Service Awards, including Joe Pat Oakley and Dan Key (pictured), who have devoted nearly 40 years as volunteers with the Crime Stoppers program. Alicia DeMichele and Terry Layton were honored for their assistance at two separate crash scenes.
In all, 78 awards were given to officers and staff of the police department.
Safe Driving Awards
5-Year
Officer Lucas Stone
Det. Ryan Hudson
Det. Kevin Wilson
Officer Brandon Cupp
Officer Tyson Riley
15-Year
Capt. Christopher Baxter
Sgt. Matthew Scheer
Sgt. Jason Hicks
Officer Christopher Fearon
Administrative Award
Officer Christopher Fearon
Service Commendations
Taryn Reed
Mackenzie McDonald
Auston Scutt
Officer Andrew Parrish (3)
Officer Matthew Strohmeier
Officer Brandon Cupp (2)
Officer Noah Willett (3)
Officer Bryant Potts (2)
Officer Carlos Cordero
Officer Seth Farthing (2)
Officer Derik Perry
Officer Matthew York
Officer Julia Cross
Sgt. Jordan Murphy
Sgt. Nathan Jaimet (2)
Officer Travis Counts
Officer Tyson Riley
Det. Chelsee Breakfield
Officer Michael Vowell (2)
Officer Caleb Kindred
Sarah Lambert
Officer Joshua Bryant
Officer Samantha Taylor
Vicki Miller
Officer Daniel Kimball (2)
Det. Dylan Cook (2)
Capt. Steve Thompson
Sgt. Jason Hicks
Sgt. Eric Taylor
Det. Corey Willenborg
Det. Beau Green
Det. Ryan Hudson
Det. Danny Slack
Officer William Hendrickson
Officer Logan Barrow
Officer Pedro Loredo
Officer Michael Foster
Officer Austin Gruner
Officer Bryce Mansfield
Chief’s Award
Patrick Bugg
Sgt. Nathan Jaimet
Lifesaving Awards
Officer Thomas Shiels
Emilee Jones
Kimberly Lauderdale (2)
Officer Steven Lang
Officer Tyree Owens
Officer Benjamin Anthony
Officer Noah Willett
Officer James Whitworth
Officer Travis Counts
Officer Bryce Mansfield
Sgt. Jordan Murphy
Officer Alex Liebenrood
Officer Matthew Strohmeier
Officer Bryan Potts
