APD gives, receives honors

By MIKE JAMES
The Independent

ASHLAND May 13, 2008 11:14 pm

— Ashland police polished up the brass buttons on their dress blues and saluted their peers Tuesday in the department’s annual commendation and awards ceremony.
The department handed out awards to 23 officers and 14 civilians.
“This is our chance to give back to our officers,” said Chief Rob Ratliff. “I don’t think a lot of people realize what they’re up against in the field.”
The civilian awards recognized those who assisted police in several crisis situations.
Crime prevention depends on such assistance, Ratliff said. “It takes people in the community. We need them to be our eyes.”
The awards recognized services ranging from coming to the assistance of a disoriented elderly woman to facing down a loaded gun.
Police officers recognized included:
‰Meritorious service awards: Lt. Kenneth R. Adams, Lt. William H. Bare, Sgt. J. Ryan Conley, and officers Lisha L. Branham, Donald A. Floyd, Robert S. Menefee, Jason A. Moore, James E. Jordan, Robert O. Simpson, Edward T. Sparks, Joshua R. Steele and N. Troy Patrick.
‰Honorable service awards: Lt. David A. Slone, Sgt. Mark E. McDowell, Sgt. Michael R. Crawford, Officer Matthew S. Davis, Officer Joshua R. Steele and Deputy U.S. Marshal Kevin Raih.
‰Letters of commendation: Capt. William Todd Kelley, Lt. William H. Bare, and officers Robert P. Brunty, David A. Cannoy and James E. Dooley.
‰Lifesaving award: Officer Lisha L. Branham.
Civilians recognized included:
‰Jack Adkins, Larry Bailey, paramedic Marty Johnson, Jodie Meade, Craig Miller, William Steele, Zachary Townsend and Bryan Turpin.
‰Also awarded were certificates of appreciation to public service officer Delmar Barber, department secretaries Connie Nugent, Patti Litteral, Susie Sherman, Ashland school Superintendent Phil Eason, Charles Howard and Lawrence Humphrey.
MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.