Merit Awards
2023 Merit Awards
In December 2023 the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association hosted their inaugural Merit Awards Banquet. The goal was to recognize the sheriff’s office employees that provide excellent service and exemplify the integrity of the office. In a competitive process, winners were selected in 12 different categories that pay tribute to the innovative and service-minded spirit of the men and women employed in sheriff’s offices throughout the state. These winners highlight employee success as they find new and effective ways of upholding the standards of the office.
2023 Winners
Deputy Sheriff of the Year | Senior Deputy Carlos Olmos | Yuma County
Supervisor of the Year AZPOST | Sgt. Sergio Ochoa | Pinal County
Supervisor of the Year Detention/Corrections | Lt. Ariel Monge | Cochise County
Detention Officer of the Year| Officer Maria Maldonado | Pinal County
Innovation of the Year AZPOST | SORT Unit (Sex Offender Registration and Tracking) | Pinal County
Innovation of the Year Jail Operations | Commander Matthew Searles | La Paz County
Innovation of the Year Jail Operations | Technology Bureau | Maricopa County
Dispatch/Communication Member of the Year | Bradley Burch | Yuma County
Professional Staff of the Year | Technology Manager Scott George | Coconino County
Professional Staff of the Year | Telecommunications Supervisor Lizbeth Huerta | Santa Cruz County
Search and Rescue Achievement | SAR Coordinator Ursula Ritchie | Cochise County
Medal of Valor | Eastern Area Command Unit | Yavapai County:
Sgt Brandon Rumpf
Sgt. Mark Hooten
Deputy Samuel Contreras,
Deputy Trystan McReynolds
Medal of Merit | Lt. Alden Whipple | Navajo County
Purple Heart | Deputy Chris Oletski | Cochise County
Purple Heart | Deputy Joel Chase | Pinal County
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