From left: Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler and Sheriff’s Officer of the Year Michael Orlando.
The 2015 Mercer County Sheriff awards presentation took place on May 15, at the Mercer County Criminal Courthouse. County Sheriff Jack Kemler announced the Officer of the Year for 2015 along with special awards for distinguished performance in the line of duty. The Sheriff’s Office traditionally honors its sworn officers, investigators, and detectives who have excelled in making Mercer County viable and its courthouses safe. The event coincides with National Police week.
This year’s Sheriff’s Officer of the Year is Officer Michael Orlando. The Officer of the Year award is given to a well-rounded officer who has exceeded the duty requirements expected of their position and have demonstrated a distinct and positive pattern of service and professional achievement. Orlando, a 16-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office is assigned to the Sheriff’s Courts Division. He oversees the processing, movement, and securing of inmates and those awaiting trial. Orlando processes over 100 individuals per week in a safe and secure manner, with no major incidents under his watch. Prior, Orlando served in the Sheriff’s Patrol Unit and Bike Patrol; He is a 23-year veteran of the United States Air Force serving in the Persian Gulf and Southwest Asia.
During the awards ceremony, Mercer County Sunshine Foundation President Cathy DiCostanzo presented two significant awards. The first was a proclamation presented to all officers of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office and PBA 187, for their support in sending three children to Operation Dream Lift and for making their annual event a reality. The second award was to Sheriff Jack Kemler and his wife Annette for their long-lasting contributions to the Mercer County Sunshine foundation over the years. A memorial brick will be placed in memory of their late grandson, Vincent Jacovino, at the Sunshine Foundation’s Dream Village.
Sheriff Kemler also presented Line of Duty Awards to officers, investigators, and detectives who displayed notable performance, heroism, or lifesaving.
Detective William Miller was awarded the Sheriff’s Medal of Honor. While assisting Trenton Police Detectives Edgar Rios and James Letts on a domestic violence assignment, a suspect unexpectedly emerged from the house and began shooting at the officers, Rios and Letts were seriously wounded by the gunfire, and the suspect was killed with return fire. Each exhibit great bravery while in mortal danger. Detective Miller is honored with the highest commendation offered by the Sheriff’s Office for outstanding action in the line of duty while in personal imminent danger. Miller, in addition to Rios and Letts were honored at the White House earlier in the year for their bravery under fire.
Officer Anthony Conway was awarded the Sheriff’s Gallantry Medal for his brave actions as an off duty witnessed to a road rage incident that turned quickly into violence against an elderly man. Officer Conway took immediate action to end the assault in progress and apprehended to suspect who was later charged with aggravated assault. His brave actions are in the finest traditions of the Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s Officers Ralph MacKelvey and Anibal Santos received the Sheriff’s Lifesaving Medal for their heroic actions in skillfully saving the life of a 68 year-old man’s aboard a Frontier Airline jet at takeoff, when he suffered a cardiac incident. The passenger is alive and well today because of their actions.
Sheriff’s Achievement Medals went to Officer Vito Vacirca and Lieutenant Harry Harbourt for their professionalism, dedication and commitment in working with the national and state Special Olympics to ensure the safety and success of participating athletes. Each of their personal and unselfish commitments has brought acclaim to the Sheriff’s Office and the entire law enforcement profession.
Officers David Smithson, Pat Papero, Thomas Sweeney received Sheriff’s Letters of Commendation. At the request of the Ewing Police the Mercer County Sheriff’s K-9 unit was called for assistance to help locate a distraught man who ran away from home during the night. Sheriff’s Officer Smithson and his dog Maverick, along with the assistance of Officers Papero and Sweeney tracked the missing person for over three miles and located him in a roadside ditch. The man was taken to the hospital for treatment and later reunited with his grateful family.
Officers Jennifer Lynn, Joel Adams, Peter Novobilsky, Marc Manfredi and Dennis Powlish received the Sheriff’s Military Award in appreciation of their honorable military service that they provided to our country in its time of need. (Note: Officers Manfredi and Powlish are currently serving on active military duty).
The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office Airport Unit received the Sheriff’s Recognition Award for exemplary work and the call to duty. With the expansion of the Frontier Airlines flight schedules, over one million people moved through the Trenton Mercer Airport last year. The Sheriff’s Airport Unit assured that everyone utilizing the airport facility made safe passage with no major incidents.
Years of Service Awards were also presented to officers with 10, 15, and 25 years of departmental service. Sheriff Jack Kemler thanked each individual officer for his or her dedication to the people of Mercer County.
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