(Dublin, Ohio) — The Dublin Police Department honored award-winning service at the agency’s annual award ceremony, including Officer Andrew Kinzel, who took home the 2024 Officer of the Year accolade for his dedicated service to traffic safety.
Chief Justin Páez, Deputy Nick Tabernik, Deputy Chief Greg Lattanzi and members of the Dublin Police Awards Committee honored several groups of agency employees on Jan. 28 at the Dublin Community Recreation Center.
“Congrats to the winners and nominees who have shown such quality of work and commitment to the mission of the Dublin Police Department, all of which is to enhance the safety of our Dublin community,” Chief Páez says. “I enjoy this ceremony for its comradery and as a reminder to take time to reflect on our team’s outstanding accomplishments amid setting goals for the year to come.”
“I am proud to recognize our Officer of the Year Andrew Kinzel, whose focus and determination in holding drivers accountable led to his nearly 500 traffic stops and 102 OVI-related arrests in 2024. These efforts protect our community members on the roads while setting the traffic safety standard we expect in Dublin.”
Officer Kinzel started with Dublin Police in 2018 and also serves as a defensive tactics trainer for the department. He thanked his teammates and supervisors for the acknowledgment. The department also recognized other service activities and life-saving measures taken by officers and 911 dispatchers.
2024 Officer of the Year Recipient: Officer Andrew Kinzel (pictured above)
Nominees: Detective Dave Aronovic, Officer Scott Brown, Officer Jared Dobney, Officer Phill Hetzel, Officer Andrew Kinzel, Officer Nick Moreland
2024 Leadership Award Recipients: Lieutenant Bryan McClain and Records Supervisor James Williamson
Nominees: Lieutenant Tim Hosterman, Lieutenant Bryan McClain, Sergeant Dave Gatterdam, Sergeant Jeremy Reeb, Sergeant Jake Williams, Communications Supervisor Jennifer Cain-Sultzbaugh, Records Supervisor James Williamson
2024 Civilian of the Year: Communications Systems Specialist Kris Harris
Nominees: Communications Systems Specialist Kris Harris, Records Technician Linda Richey
2024 Life-Saving Awards
These honors are awarded to any member of the Dublin Police whose action prevented the death of any person.
- Officer Eric Boulware and Communications Technician Ashton Knerr
- Officer Patrick Wentz
- Officer Josh Weber and Officer Kurt Young
- Sergeant Josh Kirby and Officer Jon Riordan
- Officer Nick Moreland
- Communications Technician Bailey Malear
- Communications Technician Vernon Hylton
Special Recognition
- Officer Mathew Keehl: “Exceptional You” bonus recipient
- Officer Andrew Kinzel: Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) OVI Enforcement Award
- Officer Nick Moreland: Civilian Distinguished Service Award, Washington Township Fire Department
- Communications Technicians Rita Distelhorst, Brett Goldstein, Lennie Hunt, Ben Karns, Jess Posey and Brittany Smith: Kyle Plush “Answer The Call Foundation” recognition
- Communications Technicians Vernon Hylton, Anna Hinderer, Jess Johnson and Brittany Rhea: Worthington Police and Fire Life-Saving Award
2024 Exceptional Service Awards
These awards are given to those who significantly enhanced the efficiency of the department or exceeded the expectations in the area of service to the community.
- CAD Manager Caitlynn Wood
- Communications Technician Angie Flesher
2024 Certificates of Merit
- Lieutenant Tim Hosterman, Officer Steve Borton, Officer Bethany Kirkman, Officer Joey Jones, Officer Jon Riordan and Officer Amber McCloskey; Sergeant Nate Hysell, Sergeant Jeremy Reeb, Officer Reece Berry, Officer Ignacio Pizano, Officer Ronald Robinson and Officer Joe Szabo; Officer Andrew Kinzel, Officer Luke Sinclair, Officer Jon Riordan, Officer Joe Szabo and Communications Technician Brittany Smith; Officer Shane McPhillips
2024 Service Awards
- 35 Years — Administrative Specialist Becky Metcalf
- 30 Years — Crime Analyst Tom Hirschy
- 25 Years — Lieutenant Jake Stoll
- 20 Years — Lieutenant Bryan McClain, Detective Michael Laws
- 15 Years — Sergeant Jake Williams
- 10 Years — Lieutenants Alex Carlson, Jace Dalgord; Officers Zachary Ford, Scott Nichelson, Deron Steinke, Matthew Williams; Communications Technicians Brett Goldstein, Gloria Rose; CAD Manager Caitlynn Wood; and Professional Standards Manager Whitney Aebker
- 5 Years — Sergeant Jordan Ratliff; Officers Jared Dobney, Mathew Keehl, Andrew Maddox; Communications Technicians Katherine Cutrer, Vernon Hylton, Brittany Rhea; and Records Technician Angeles Babcock
- 2 Years — Sergeant Jeremy Reeb; Officers Mark Gundelfinger, Loni Ives-Stone, Bethany Kirkman, Nicholas Moreland, Ignacio Pizano Jr., Jon Riordan, Ronald Robinson, Joseph Szabo, Patrick Wentz; and Communications Manager Marcella Bowers
Public Safety in Dublin
The Dublin Police Department is dedicated to protection, service and public safety in partnership with the community. Learn more at YourDublinPolice.org.
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Media Contact:
Rebecca Myers
Public Information Officer
614.381.5225 – Cell
rrmyers@dublin.oh.us
Newsroom: https://dublinohiousa.gov/newsroom/