• Sergeant Chris Lofton, Officer of the Year 2018

MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Meridian Township Police Department held its annual Awards Ceremony on Thursday, February 21.

The event recognizes contributions made by citizens, departmental volunteers and law enforcement who've shown exemplary leadership and service to the community in 2018.

There were a total of five citizens that were honored at this year's ceremony with a certificate of appreciation. One recipient, Christopher Osburn, received the award after he provided aid to a victim of an attempted armed robbery.

Officers Adam Slavick and Doug Strouse were awarded with the Unit Citation for Professional Excellence after they discovered an illegal drug operation during the investigation of a home invasion.

The final and most anticipated award given out that night was the Officer of Year Award. All of the previous award recipients had been named in pamphlet handed out before the ceremony. So when it came time to hand out the award, Sergeant Chris Lofton had no idea he was about to have his name called.

"Apparently my wife knew ahead of time," he said with a grin, "but she didn't tell me."

He also noted that he thought there were a lot of people in the department that could have received this award.

Sgt. Lofton has been with the department since 2004 and has held many responsibilities over the years. He has been a patrol officer, investigator, field training officer, hostage negotiator and crisis intervention team negotiator.

Currently, he commands one of the departments road patrol shifts.