For nine years, Citizens Energy Group has been the title sponsor of the Fire, Police, Deputy Sheriff’s Awards. This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, in lieu of a large gathering honoring personnel from all three departments, each department held its own smaller awards ceremony on April 29.
More than 30 local public safety professionals were recognized for their dedication and service to Central Indiana.
“Citizens is proud to continue this tradition of recognizing outstanding public safety personnel that was first established by the Indianapolis Water Company in 1968,” said Jennifer Mentink, Marketing Communications Coordinator.
In addition to being the title sponsor of the event, Citizens sponsors the Firefighter of the Year Award, which was presented to Private Andrew Hawes. He has been on the Indianapolis Fire Department for 12 years and was honored for leading by example.
More than 40 other local businesses and organizations helped sponsor the awards.
Other notable winners were Officer Jerome Barker, Police Officer of the Year, and Sergeant Alejandro Lastra, Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year.
For a full list of the 2020 honorees, visit https://citizensenergygroup.com/Our-Company/In-the-Community and click on “Fire, Police and Sheriff’s Awards” from the menu on the right.
Photo caption: Indianapolis Fire Department Chief Ernest Malone (left) presents the Firefighter of the
Year award to Private Andrew Hawes.
