Viewfinder: Sheriff Awards Heroic Efforts and Career Excellence

Macomb County residents and sheriff's officers filled the halls of the MISD Tuesday for the annual Sheriff's Recognition Awards Ceremony.

Sheriff Anthony Wickersham and fellow command staff recognized the heroic efforts and career excellence of more than 40 civilians and officers.

"Year after year, these men and women put themselves in harms way for your safety," Wickersham said. "We do this awards ceremony during National Police Week to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice."

Civilian Recognition

Kamden Miller and Anthony Tocco

• On Dec. 14, 2010, Miller and Tocco saved the life of fifth-grade Duncan Elementary student John-Marco. When John-Marco Delisi unexpectedly broke through the ice of a 20-foot deep retention basin, Miller and Tocco formed a human chain and together, the boys were able to pull Delisi from the water.

Daniel McAndrew, Terry McGregor, David Gasiewske, Michael Mielke, Kirk Stefanski, Matthew Long

• On July 2, 2010, a boating accident involving two boats left 10 people struggling in the water. The operator of one of the boats died, but the efforts of the six award recipients helped rescue the remaining nine. McAndrew and McGregor were not involved in the accident, but heard the call for help over the Marine radio and rushed to the scene to offer their assistance.

Marine Safety Officer Jack Greer, James Touhey, Carrie Dembs

• While working out at his local gym, Greer responded to a report of a man down on the track inside the gym. He administered CPR to the victim, Samuel Hatcher, 60, and used the gym's AED machine to shock Hatcher twice until paramedics arrived. Hatcher survived.

Breanna Hattley

• On May 28, 2010, a fire broke out at the Hattley home during the night while the family was asleep. Breanna Hattley, 10, woke up to a noise in the kitchen and went to investigate. Upon discovering the fire, Breanna Hattley ran to wake up her parents and see the family safely out of the house.

John Russo

• Russo stopped at a traffic crash on Jan. 18 in which the 16-year-old driver was critically injured and trapped in the vehicle. Russo climbed into the vehicle and tried to assist the driver by giving rescue breaths until deputies arrived.

Professional Excellence

Sgt. Jeffery Gornicki, Deputy Jeffrey McPherson, Deputy Ryan Marley, Deputy Clifton Morgan II

• These officers responded to a Jan. 18 traffic crash involving a 16-year-old driver who was critically injured and trapped in the vehicle. Marley climbed in the car's back window to assist the driver. McPherson began chest compressions and continued until the driver was freed from the car and taken to an ambulance. Gornicki took over the chest compressions in the ambulance and continued until reaching the hospital.

Deputy Jeffrey Vargo

• General excellence in all areas of his job.

Deputy Gerald Bingle, Deputy Jason Tabor

• Investigated several Aug. 17-18, 2010 larceny from car incidents in Macomb Township. Through their efforts, the suspects were captured and the stolen property recovered.

Clerk Katherine Zaffuto

• General excellent in all areas of her job.

Deputy Darrell Babbitt

• Went above and beyond to see that a homeless family received lodging and food.

Dispatcher Jason Conklin

• Through diligence and professionalism in dealing with outside agencies and other resources, Conklin was able to help deputies track down the suspect in a pizza delivery robbery and protect the victim of a death threat.

Dispatcher Jonas Hudson

• Constant professionalism and general excellence in all areas of his job.

Secretary Claudine Pfeilstucker

• General excellence in 27 years of service to the Sheriff's Office.

Deputy Timothy Dickerson

• Through his canvassing and questioning in the case of a Washington Township bank robbery, Dickerson was able to identify the suspect and his residence, which led to his arrest the same day.

Dr. Alicja Wasilweski, Mental Health Director Kelly Hedtke

• Continued excellence in their work with the mentally ill of the Macomb County Jail.

Corrections Deputy William Ash

• General excellence as a court liaison and the steward for video arraignment.

Corrections Deputy Steven Mileski

• Excellence in uncovering contraband in Macomb County Jail inmate mail.

Deputy Ted Dumas (Currently assigned to road patrol in Macomb Township)

• General excellence in the Traffic Bureau and Macomb Auto Theft Unit.

Sgt. John Glass

• In early April 2011, Glass was contacted by a confidential informant who gave him information on a . In his undercover capacity, Glass helped the Sheriff's Office to arrest all four suspects in the case. These suspects are currently being held in the Macomb County Jail awaiting trial.

Deputy Jeffrey McPherson

• McPherson was involved in a down Hall Road on Nov. 12, 2010. He followed the suspect to the end of the chase and assisted in his arrest.

Valor

Deputy Ronald Murphy

• Murphy joined McPherson in the Nov. 12, 2010 high-speed chase down Hall Road. Noting the driver was about to strike another vehicle, Murphy positioned his vehicle so the suspect would hit him before the innocent driver. Once the situation was under control, it was learned two small children were in the car that would have been struck had Murphy not acted as he did.

Deputy Joseph Cracchiolo

• Responded to a house in Mount Clemens to check a report of a woman screaming for help. Cracchiolo was able to control and handcuff the man threatening the woman and save her life.

Meritorious Citation

Deputy James Onyski

• On Aug. 8 2020, Onyski responded to a call involving a suicidal male with a handgun. He was able to get the suspect to talk with him for 90 minutes, during which time he convinced him to unload the weapon and place it on the floor.

Lifesaving Citation

Dispatcher Michael Schmacher

• On March 11, Schumacher received a 9-1-1 call from a female who stated that her 23-year-old daughter was down and not breathing. Schumacher dispatched deputies to the home and coached the mother to perform CPR until deputies arrived.

Deputy Adnan Durrani, MSO Joseph Dix, MSO Terrance Gasparski

• The three officers were attending a public relations event at Stoney Creek Metro-Park on Sept. 12, 2010 when they heard a woman's cry for help. The woman's husband had gone into the lake to rescue the couple's dog and was having trouble swimming back to shore. The officers removed their gun belts and entered the lake, bringing both the husband and dog safely to shore.

Deputy Michael Dixon

• On May 10, 2010, Dixon was dispatched to Oak Ridge Golf Course on a call of a man down. He began CPR and continued until medical personnel arrived. His actions helped save the life of Arthur Stefanski.

Employee of the Year

Account Clerk IV Kim Davies

• The "backbone" of the Macomb Auto Theft Squad. Davies continually performs her duties above and beyond what is expected of her and can always be counted on for a job well done.

Corrections Deputy of the Year

Corrections Deputy Elizabeth Carver

• Carver has worked various assignments in the jail for almost 20 years. She always goes above and beyond in her work.

Dispatcher of the Year

Dispatcher Beth Ann Piorniak

• Piorniak has served as a dispatched for eight years. On Jan. 17, she received a phone call from a distraught female inquiring about a restraining order for her boyfriend who was assaulting her children. The caller did not want to give her name or location, but Piorniak persisted and was able to locate the caller and dispatch deputies to the scene.

Deputy of the Year

Deputy Jason Abro

• Abro always conducts his investigations thoroughly and with great attention to detail. He is a team player and has an unbelievable work ethic.

Command Officer of the Year

C/Sgt. I Scott Schulte

• Schulte is the "go to" person when something needs to be done and the command officer you want on duty if and when something goes wrong.