Footprinters honor local law enforcement, safety personnel
Published 11:26 am Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Sequim Gazette staff
For their hard work and service, Sequim and Port Angeles police officers, deputies, firefighters and other public service personnel are getting kudos.
On May 9, the Olympic Peninsula Chapter 74 of the International Footprint Association honored the achievements of law enforcement and public safety organizations of Clallam County at its annual “Officer of the Year“ awards banquet held at the Sequim Elks Lodge.
Program chairman Gene Mattson and chapter president Maura Mattson presented special recognition plaques to officers selected by their peers who have excelled in their careers as a top performer, for their dedication and professionalism while serving their community by going “above and beyond.”
The 14 agencies recognized include the Sequim Police Department, Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Port Angeles Police Department, Forks Police Department, Port Angeles Fire Department, Clallam County Fire Districts 2, 3 and 4, Washington State Patrol, U.S. Border Patrol, Clallam Bay Corrections Center, U.S. Coast Guard, Elwha Klallam Police Department and PenCom.
Footprinters is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to bring together those in law enforcement, firefighting, business and professional people and citizens of the community who are interested in supporting those in public safety, promoting positive relations with the community and promoting the true spirit of Americanism through numerous activities.
The Footprinters support civic activities such as highway cleanups, charitable works like Toys for Tots and food banks.
The group sponsors a golf tournament and awards scholarships to high school graduates interested in law enforcement or firefighting and related fields.
Among the Olympic Peninsula Chapter 74 of the International Footprint Association firefighter honorees last week are (back row, from left) Ken Dubuc, Port Angeles Fire Department Chief; Sam Phillips, Clallam County Fire District 2 Chief; Ben Andrews, Clallam County Fire District 3 Chief; Alex Baker, Clallam County Fire District 4 Chief, and PenCom communications manager Karl Hatton, with (front row, from left) PAFD Captain James “Duke” Moroz; CCFD2 Firefighter/EMT Nate Thompson, CCFD 3 Volunteer Blaine Zechenelly, CCFD 4 EMT Patrick Barber; and PenCom Communications Officer Mary Rife.
