Employee Awards

Nominations

Nominations can be submitted by the employee’s co-workers, supervisors and/or the community. Use this form to nominate a WCSO employee or local citizen for an award.

Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office Awards & Descriptions

Medal of Honor: Awarded posthumously to an individual who in the line of duty displays extraordinary heroism in the face of a life-threatening situation, and dies a violent death at the hands of another.

Police Cross: Awarded posthumously to an individual who in the line of duty incurs a service injury or disability resulting in the loss of life.

Award of Valor: Awarded for outstanding bravery above and beyond that expected in the line of duty, including but not limited to, where failure to take such action would not justify censure; where risk of life existed and the officer had sufficient time to evaluate that risk; where the objective is of sufficient importance to justify the risk; and, where the officer accomplished the objective or was prevented from accomplishing the objective by incurring a disabling injury or death.

Distinguished Service: Awarded to an employee who courageously performed an act in the line of duty at a significant risk of serious physical harm to him or herself. The act must have been performed under complicated or hazardous conditions, during which the individual used exceedingly good judgment in accomplishing a specific Sheriff’s Office mission. (Less than that of Award of Valor Award)

Life Saving: Awarded to employees and/or individuals who have taken immediate actions in a medical or other emergency, resulting in the saving of another human life.

Sheriff’s Special Citation: Awarded at the direction of the Sheriff to employees and/or citizens who have distinguished themselves to special circumstances demonstrating exemplary service, above and beyond the normal scope of their duties, on a case, incident, special project, or quality of life issue.

Supervisor of the Year: Awarded to 1 supervisor in each division who consistently best represents the values, mission, and character of the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office.

Employee of the Year: Awarded to 1 employee in each division who consistently best represents the values, mission, and character of the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office.

Rookie of the Year: The goal of this award is to highlight promising new employees who are effectively paving the way for public service of today and tomorrow, and creating positive waves among their peers, agencies, communities and beyond.  This award is open to active law employees who have been serving for two years or less. They must have demonstrated leadership and commitment to service through deeds, resulting in benefit to their peers, their service, and the community.  Their actions are in alignment with our mission of “Co-creating Community Wellness and Safety, Providing Exemplary Service and Building Strong and Sustainable Communities”. 

Citation of Meritorious Service: Awarded for outstanding performance of duty under unusual or difficult conditions. The action need not involve exposure to physical danger, but involves the protection of life or property and/or involves exceptional thoroughness, determination and initiative.

Line of Duty Injury Award: This award recognizes the personal sacrifice and devotion to duty displayed by a member of the Sheriff’s Office, who becomes seriously injured as a result of hostile behavior by another person or under other hazardous conditions, while in the performance of their official duties.  

Julia Hordge Community Leadership: Awarded to recognize an individual or group of individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership by establishing a vision within the community and achieving specific results in accordance with that vision. The contributions of these staff motivate others while also promoting an environment that increases public safety within the community. Those nominated for this award may often demonstrate leadership by acting as a focal point of contact/discussion, or serving as a bridge/liaison, between WCSO and community members.