Several St.
Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office law enforcement officers and civilians were
recognized and commended for their service at the 18th Annual St.
Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Awards Banquet.
Included for
the first time at the ceremony were Great Mills High School Unit Citations for
the response to a student shooting at Great Mills High School on March 20,
2018, which took the life of 16-year-old Jaelynn Willey and left 14-year-old
Desmond Barnes injured.
Members of
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Baltimore Field
Division, Bay District Volunteer Fire Department, Calvert County Sheriff’s
Office, Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Maryland State Police, Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office and St. Mary’s
County Sheriff’s Office were awarded unit citations at the ceremony held at the
Bay District Volunteer Fire Department on Friday, May 18, 2018.
Their supporting
actions after the shooting at Great Mills High School went above and beyond the
call of duty and were in keeping with the finest traditions of public service.
Sheriff Tim
Cameron presented the Willey family with a Great Mills High School Unit
Citation in loving remembrance of their daughter Jaelynn.
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| Sheriff Tim Cameron presents Melissa Willey with a Great Mills High School Unit Citation |
Great Mills
High School Teacher Jenna Costello was also presented with a Great Mills High
School Unit Citation and Lifesaving Award for her immediate and heroic actions
in the attempt to save and sustain the life of Jaelynn Willey. Sheriff Cameron
said, “Jenna was Jaelynn’s best possible chance of survival” until Emergency
Medical Services personnel could arrive.
 |
| Great Mills High School Teacher Jenna Costello and Sheriff Tim Cameron |
Several
other awards and recognitions were given at the Sheriff’s Office Awards Banquet.
Deputy First
Class Blaine Gaskill was awarded the Bronze Medal of Valor. Gaskill, a School
Resource Officer at Great Mills High School, responded with immense bravery and
determination, placing himself in grave danger to stop the attack on March 20,
2018, saving the lives of students and staff.
 |
| Major Michael Merican, DFC Blaine Gaskill and his son and Sheriff Tim Cameron |
Corporal
William Ray was named Deputy Sheriff of the Year for 2017. As a founding member
of the Lexington Park Community Oriented Policing Unit, Ray has been intrinsic
in formulating operational solutions to various community and commercial
problems. Ray has been a driving force in establishing meaningful partnerships
with local schools, churches and many other human service organizations.
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| Sheriff Tim Cameron and Cpl. William Ray |
Correctional
Officer First Class Patrick Britt was named the Correctional Officer of the
Year for 2017. Britt promotes positive interaction with his coworkers,
supervisors, community and inmate population.
 |
| Sheriff Tim Cameon and Correctional Officer First Class Patrick Britt |
Ashley
Knight was named Civilian Employee of the Year for 2017. In June 2017 she was
promoted to Patrol Administrative Coordinator. While still learning her new
position, she volunteered for numerous additional shifts as a station clerk,
including nights and weekends.
 |
| Sheriff Tim Cameron and Ashley Knight, Patrol Administrative Coordinator |
Corporal
Brian Connelly, Corporal James Stone, Deputy Daniel Sidorowicz, Corporal John
Kirkner and Correctional Office First Class Ryan Goodwin were awarded for
meritorious actions at the ceremony.
(photos)
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| Sheriff Tim Cameron and Cpl. Brian Connelly |
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| Sheriff Tim Cameron and Dep. Daniel Sidorowicz |
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| Sheriff Tim Cameron and CFC Ryan Goodwin |
Lifesaving
awards were bestowed to Deputy First Class David Lawrence, Corporal Timothy
Snyder, Deputy First Class Vincent Pontorno, Deputy First Class Rozier
Steinbach, Deputy Shawn Bowie and Corporal Shawn Cathcart.
(photos)
 |
| Sheriff Tim Cameron, DFC Vincent Pontoro and Cpl. Timothy Snyder |
