Sergeant Marc Marcroft and Officer Kim Druktenis will have to make room on their desks for yet another Mercer Island Police Department award. Marcroft and Druktenis received the honors of Supervisor of the Year and Support Employee of the Year, respectively, for the second and third year running last Friday at the Mercer Island Police Department’s annual awards ceremony. Emergency and Preparedness Officer Jennifer Franklin earned the Officer of the Year award.
Druktenis has received the Support Employee of the Year Award every year since she took on the position in 2007. Operations Commander David Jokinen pointed out that Druktenis has “helped immensely” in the areas of parking enforcement, leash laws and prisoner transports.
“Officers have said they wonder how we ever got along without her work and leadership,” Jokinen said after presenting Druktenis with the award.
Before transferring to Mercer Island, Druktenis worked as a correctional officer at the Issaquah Jail for approximately seven years.
Sgt. Marcroft celebrated his second win as Supervisor of the Year.
Marcroft, who was also recognized for his sharp-shooting skills, has spent 16 years with the department. He has covered patrol, investigations as a detective, and marine patrol as a unit supervisor. He is currently working as a unit sergeant in investigations.
“Marc has proven to be a patient and approachable supervisor,” Commander Leslie Burns said of her colleague.
Emergency Preparedness Officer Jennifer Franklin earned applause as Officer of the Year for 2009. Franklin, who has worked for the MIPD since 1990, has worn a number of hats in her tenure, from D.A.R.E. officer to city patrol to emergency preparedness.
Police Chief Ed Holmes mentioned the “thick stack of appreciation letters” sitting in Franklin’s file, and said that she has done a “superb job” of getting the community prepared for emergencies.
A number of other police were honored at the Feb. 26 ceremony. Detective Art Munoz, Corporal Jeff Magnan and Evidence Technician Kelly Donnelly each earned a Commander’s Award. Donnelly was paid special honors for standing in to run the records department when both staff members were out for more than a month on injury.
“She worked all hours to get the work done while maintaining her job in the evidence room,” Burns said.
University of Washington student Andrew King, son of Islander Jason King, joined the MIPD spotlight as the winner of this year’s Citizen Award. Andrew King was recognized for the volunteer work he put in over last summer and Christmas break.
Jason King was awarded the same honor last year “his strong support of safety on Mercer Island.”
Holmes highlighted MIPD Sergeant Keith McDonough’s state award as Marine Patrol Officer of the Year, which he received earlier this year. A number of other MIPD staff members were also given due recognition, including the IT department.
The 2009 awards ceremony is an annual event at the MIPD to recognize the professionalism and heroic work of its members. The three Officer of the Year awards are voted on by MIPD staff.
