SPD Honors Exemplary Service with 2024 Meritorious Awards

On October 23, the Springfield Police Department (SPD) held its annual awards ceremony, recognizing the outstanding efforts of officers and civilian personnel for work performed during the 2024 calendar year.

The Civilian of the Year award was presented to Nikki Monari, the department’s Communications Liaison, whose leadership in community outreach, media relations and social-media management materially supported key department initiatives.

Receiving the Abraham Lincoln Award for problem-solving and community-improvement programs were Officer Monica Dorsey for her “Books & Badges” initiative with local students, and Officer Kayla West along with Officer Lonnie Lucas for their “Rookies with a Cause” holiday-giving program for families in need.

The Silver Suarez Award, for distinguished police work in active duty, was awarded to Officer Brent Acker and Officer Andy Barnes, in recognition of their swift response, strong communication and technology-use that led to the arrest of a homicide suspect within hours of the incident. In that same case, Sergeants James Wangard and Colton Redding were given Certificates of Commendation.

The Porter Williams Award for heroism was bestowed upon Officer Corey Cortes and Officer Jesse Schmillen. Officer Cortes exhibited exceptional bravery during a high-risk call, intervening to neutralize a deadly threat to the community and fellow officers, while Officer Schmillen responded decisively in a life-threatening situation, displaying compassion under pressure.

The William Herndon Award, recognizing exceptional plain-clothes or investigative work, was given collectively to Sergeant Michael Mack, Sergeant Justin Spaid, Detective Chris Steffen, Detective Evan Delude, Officer Eric Wise and Officer David Craven, whose collaboration between Field Operations and Criminal Investigations resulted in the identification of suspects, recovery of weapons and vehicles, and the filing of first-degree murder charges. Additional Certificates of Commendation were awarded to Officer Dale Davis, Detective Brent Acker and Officer Eugene Williba for their roles in the investigation.

Finally, the Chief of Police Unit Citation was awarded to the full membership of the department’s Mobile Field Force Team (MFFT), led by Lieutenants Joe Phillips and Tyler Lynn, along with numerous sergeants, detectives and officers, in recognition of the unit’s preparedness and deployment for perimeter security, protests, civil-unrest management and major state emergency operations.

SPD Chief Joseph Behl praised all awardees, noting that their professionalism, bravery and community-minded work reflect the department’s ongoing commitment to public safety and partnership with the citizens of Springfield.