GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) – The GRPS Public Safety & School Security team wrapped up the school year by recognizing the outstanding dedication and service of its officers. Several awards were presented at the year-end celebration, including the Officer of the Year award, which was awarded to Billy Wheeler-Smith.
“We just want to say thank you for your outstanding work and leadership,” said Larry Johnson, Chief of Staff & Executive Director of Public Safety & School Security, as he presented the award to Officer Wheeler-Smith.
The celebration was made possible through the generous support of Applied Innovation, Engineered Protection Systems (EPS), Moss Communications, Dean Transportation, and Mr. Harvey Crawley.
Here is the full list of award recipients:
Officer of the Year
Billy Wheeler-Smith
Above & Beyond Awards
Matthew Badger
Darnell Badger
Kristen Betts
Nyjah Brown-Watson
Alexis Chess
Alonzo Earley
Sgt. Faustino Garcia
Milagros Hernandez
Lt. Christina Johnson
Charlotte Mason
Oscar Plesco
Walter Robertson
Ryan Smith
Sgt. Molly Vincent
Unit Awards
Burton Middle School Security Team
Innovation Central High School Security Team
Ottawa Hills High School Security Team
Union High School Security Team
Most Improved
Vincent Brewer
Alexis Chess
Alonzo Earley
Quantes Jackson-Cox
Jackson Kanneh
Santana Mahone
Andrew Marcks
Shanitra Reed
Director’s Award
Darnell Badger
Matthew Badger
Alonzo Earley
Sgt. Faustino Garcia
Brian Gordon
Milagros Hernandez
Lt. Christina Johnson
Charlotte Mason
Andrew Marcks
Oscar Plesco
Sgt. Molly Vincent
Investigators of the Year Award
Sgt. Faustino Garcia
Andrew Marcks
Ryan Smith
Merit Awards
Shane Adrianse
Nyjah Brown-Watson
Alexis Chess
Sgt. Faustino Garcia
Brian Gordon
Alyssa Kiekover
Andrew Marcks
Walter Robertson
EPS Technology Award
GRPS Security Team
Recruits of the Year
Jackie Martinez
Owen Sims
Visionary Award
Alexis Chess
Sgt. Faustino Garcia
Sgt. Taylor Harmon
Lt. Christina Johnson
Charlotte Mason
Sgt. Tamara Robinson
Sgt. James Turner
Sgt. Molly Vincent
Principal Awards
Karla Finn – CA Frost Environmental Science Academy
Julie Fogg-Reyers – Ridgemoor Park Montessori Academy
Thomas James – Dickinson Academy
Cindy Rivera-Madera – Dickinson Academy
Troy Wilborn – Southeast Career Pathways
Executive Director Award
Dr. Mayda Bahamonde-Gunnell, Southwest Quadrant
