Three law enforcement officers from
the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were recognized and commended for their
service on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at the 18th Annual Law Enforcement
Appreciation Day ceremony.
Recognized were Corporal William D.
Ray, named St. Mary’s County Deputy of the Year; Correctional Officer First
Class Patrick A. Britt, named as St. Mary’s County Correctional Officer of the
Year, and Deputy First Class Blaine Gaskill, who received a special award for
valorous conduct in response to a student shooting at Great Mills High School
on March 20, 2018.
“DFC Gaskill’s response to the
shooting at Great Mills was a combination of his training and the intestinal
fortitude it takes to place oneself in danger for the purpose of stopping an
attack, thus saving the lives of students and staff,” St. Mary’s County
Commissioner President Randy Guy said at the event at the Southern Maryland
Higher Education Center, as he read the nomination narratives.
“This true act of valor epitomizes
the courage and character it takes to be a modern American Law Enforcement
Officer,” Guy said.
Gaskill began with the St. Mary’s
County Sheriff’s Office in 2009 as a Correctional Officer.
Nominated by Sheriff Tim Cameron,
Cpl. Ray was awarded as Deputy of the Year. “Cpl. Ray was well known for being
meticulous in every aspect of every duty. He was relentless in his
investigations and possessed impeccable interview and interrogation skills,”
Guy said.
“A true ambassador of the police
profession, Cpl. Ray embodies professionalism and is an invaluable asset,” Guy
said. “Cpl. Ray is the epitome of what all officers should emulate.”
Cpl. Ray joined the Sheriff’s Office
in 1999 as a deputy and is a founding member of the Lexington Park Community
Oriented Policing Unit (COPS).
Also nominated by Sheriff Cameron,
Correctional Officer First Class Britt was awarded as Correctional Officer of
the Year.
“CFC Britt was recognized for his
extraordinary performance when one of the parents of an individual wrote a
letter of appreciation boasting how Britt’s work ethic and patience impressed
her son, making a life-changing impact by virtue of his relentless commitment
to helping incarcerated individuals,” Guy said.
“CFC Britt excels with leadership,
professionalism and team effort in his corrections career representing the St.
Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office with appreciable pride and dedication,” Guy
said.
CFC Britt joined the Sheriff’s Office
in 2012.
Cameron said at the event, “I thank
all those that served for your commitment and courage and I thank your families
for their sacrifices as well.”
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| Sheriff Tim Cameron places a valorous conduct medal upon Deputy First Class Blaine Gaskill as Randy Guy, president of the Commissioners of St. Mary's County observes. |
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| Officers of the Year from the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Deputy First Class Blaine Gaskill, left, Corporal William D. Ray and Correctional Officer First Class Patrick A. Britt stand with Sheriff Tim Cameron. |
