MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Meridian Township Police Department held their annual Police Awards Ceremony on Thursday honoring citizens and officers for going above and beyond.

Meridian Township Police Chief, Dave Hall, said it's their way of saying 'thank you.'

"It's where we recognize police officers and citizens who do something special," he said.

Okemos resident, Steve Brunner, received a life saving certificate for calling for help when he heard a car running in a closed garage.

He ended up saving a life.

"I mean I was just in the right place at the right time," he said.

Officer of the Year, maybe the most important of the night, was given to Becky Payne.

"It is an honor. Like I said before, I work with a lot of great people and I think there are a lot of other guys and gals that are more deserving of this award so I'm humbled and very appreciate," she said.

Chief Hall said these awards are a good way to show that peoples work is being recognized.

"We appreciate them getting involved and when we see a citizen do something special, we want recognize them. And of course certainly we want to recognize our police officers," Hall said.

For the officers, he said it shows them that people are watching them.

"I think employees like to be recognized, they appreciate being recognized. It tells them that someones watching," he said.