It was standing room only in the Board of Commissioners Auditorium on Wednesday for the annual awards ceremony recognizing exemplary efforts by Oakland County law enforcement and staff, as well as local citizens.
Held during National Police Week, the ceremony’s honors included lifesaving and valor citations, citizen and community service awards, and nine ”Of the Year” honors for Oakland County Sheriff’s Office employees.
“Every day, I am proud of the work our team does, but Awards Day during National Police Week gives me a special opportunity to personally thank them and recognize their service in a well-deserved ceremony,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard stated in a news release. “Our deputies and professional staff have faced unimaginable challenges, yet they continue to show up every day with courage, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to protecting this community. I am honored and proud to stand beside them.”
“Of the Year” awards:
• Command Officer of the Year: Sgt. Michael Ritchie, Fugitive Apprehension Team,.
• Corrections Deputy of the Year: Deputy Bridget Siterlet
• Road Patrol Deputy of the Year: Deputy Ryan Boucher
• Investigator of the Year: Det. John Brish
• Support Services Deputy of the Year: Deputy Charles Johnson
• Communications Employee of the Year: Kevin Swiatoschik, dispatch specialist shift lead
• Employee of the Year: Elizabeth Skwarczewski, OCSO rate and grant coordinator
• Reserve Deputy of the Year: Reserve Lt. Tom Hart
• Part-Time Employee of the Year: Chaplain Fadie Gorgies
• Bravery Citation: Deputy Collin Schafer – kicked down front door of burning home in Oxford, crawled inside and dragged out a resident who was in danger
• Distinguished Service Citation: Sgt. Chad Allan
(from left): Sheriff Mike Bouchard, Oxford Twp. Supervisor Jack Curtis, Oxford Substation Commander Lt. Scott Patterson, Sgt. Ric Meza, Sgt. Eric Dougherty at the annual awards ceremony on May 13, 2026 (photo provided by Oakland County Sheriff’s Office)
Citizen awards:
• HUB Development Team (Oakland County Information Technology Team): Weidong Fan, David Carter, Steven Erkins, Paul Falinski, Patricia Salter, Steven Jennings
• Linda Bovensiep
• Jeffery Richards
• Amie Vonknorring
• Donald Springer, Ken Wessel – Intervened when a deputy was outnumbered by resisting individuals during a traffic stop, leading to arrests.
• Jimmy Mieczkowski – Credited with saving the life of resident Diane Major after her lawnmower exploded and her clothing was set on fire
Other awards:
• Citizen, Community Service, Equivalency Bar, Distinguished Service, Livesaving, Meritorious Service, Special Commendation, Distinguished Unit, Disaster Bar citations
• Fugitive Apprehension Team, Corrections Training Officers, Honor Guard, Pontiac Detective Bureau, Pontiac Community Policing