The Milton Police Department celebrated its finest at the annual Police Week ceremony, where Officer Zachary O’Neill was named Officer of the Year. Bravery, dedication, and a commitment to service were the themes of the day as over a dozen officers were honored Friday in the Milton Municipal Courtroom.
Among the accolades, Sgt. Chad West and Officer Rudy Cabral received the Combat Cross for their bravery during a September 2023 armed encounter. Mayor Peyton Jamison weighed in, saying, "The men and women in this room ... make myself, and the rest of the city look good." A sentiment echoed by City Church pastor Billy Lowe, awarded a Citizen Service Medal for his contributions to public safety chaplaincy and community outreach, according to the City of Milton.
New officers were welcomed into the ranks in a ceremonial "pinning" attended by friends and family. Five officers were pinned: Robert Ateca, Alexander Huffman, Dennis Pishock, Jason Sosebee, and Gaetano Todaro. Additionally, two veterans in the force, Logan Pacheco and Kevin Barry, were publicly celebrated for their recent promotions.
As reported by the City of Milton official website, Pacheco, apart from her on-the-ground service, continues to pursue higher education while Barry, a former security contractor in Iraq, brings a wealth of experience from his previous stints with the Dekalb County Police and overseas service.
The awards ceremony also paid tribute to Detective Rebecca Tidwell for her lifesaving intervention at a local restaurant. In the Police Week tradition, the Milton Police Department also recognized excellence in marksmanship, with Officer Josh Harrell receiving top honors in a newly-designed shooting contest.
Breaking new ground, Sgt. Ivo Pereira was named the first-ever Supervisor of the Year for his exceptional leadership. Chief Jason Griffin capped off the ceremony by extending appreciation to the families supporting the department's members, acknowledging their sacrifices and dedication to service. The celebration underscored the shared commitment of Milton's community and its police force to public safety and service.
