OCEAN CITY – One of Ocean City’s finest was recognized as one of the top cops in the nation last week when the national American Legion named him first runner up in its annual National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
OCPD veteran Corporal Sydney Findley last year was nominated by his colleagues in the department for the honor of American Legion Department of Maryland 2006 Law Officer of the Year. In January, Findley was notified he had won the Legion’s top honor in Maryland.
Findley’s nomination packet was then forwarded to the American Legion’s national organization for consideration as National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and the OCPD corporal was selected as one of four regional winners competing for the national title. Findley was notified in May he was selected as one of the four national regional finalists.
Last Thursday, during the state’s American Legion annual convention in Ocean City, Findley was honored as runner-up for the title of National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. The award recognizes law enforcement officers who have “selflessly distinguished themselves over and above their normal duties, predominantly through community service activities and professional achievement.”
Findley’s nomination packet highlighted his many contributions to the community above and beyond his law enforcement work, particularly his leadership in the Maryland Special Olympics, were he served as regional coordinator. He was also recognized for the numerous criminal investigations he was involved in.
In particular, the nomination cited a case last summer when Findley disarmed a man with a gun on the Boardwalk. He earned a Bronze Star from the department for that case. Findley was presented with the award during the national convention in Ocean City last Thursday