OCEAN CITY — Ocean City’s eight Neighborhood Watch Associations last weekend named Detective-First Class James Rodriquez the Ocean City Police Department’s 2014 Officer of the Year.
The resort’s Neighborhood Watch Associations held their annual OCPD Officer of the Year banquet at the Stowaway Grand Hotel. Roughly 150 guests gathered to recognize the OCPD personnel who had retired in 2014, been promoted in 2014 or received special commendations. The event culminated with the Neighborhood Watch Associations naming Rodriguez the 2014 OCPD Officer of the Year.
For years, the Neighborhood Watch Associations have honored a single OCPD officer with the distinction from a shortened list of worth candidates. Other OCPD officers nominated for the award this year included Pfc. Nathan Kutz, Pfc. Matthew McFarlane, Ofc. Daniel McBride, Pfc. Aaron Morgan and Cpl. Todd Speigle.
Rodriguez, originally from New York, began his career with the OCPD as a seasonal officer in 2000. He was hired as a full-time police officer in 2002 and served on the patrol division until 2007 when he became a detective with the Criminal Investigation Division. Since then, Rodriquez has investigated many of the more high profile crimes in the resort.
“Detective Rodriguez has investigated the most serious crimes that have occurred in Ocean City,” said OCPD Chief Ross Buzzuro. “His talent to conduct complex investigations and relentlessly pursue those committing serious crimes has made Ocean City a safer place to live.”
A total of 10 Ocean City Police employees were recognized with promotions received in 2014. Among those promoted to Police Officer-First Class last year were Nicholas Forsyth, Trevor Greenawalt, Matthew McFarlane, Sean McHugh and Kory Moerschel. In addition, five former Public Safety Aides were also recognized for their appointment to the new position of Police Custody Officer after successfully completing their training at the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy’s Jail and Corrections Academy. The five new Police Custody Officers are Jennifer Albert, Ashley Clark, Susan Dickerson, Jenna McGoogan and Damian Priznar.
Buzzuro praised the members of his department recognized last week and thanked the Neighborhood Watch Associations for hosting the event and bestowing the honors.
“Our department is full of men and women who do extraordinary things for our community each day,” he said. “I am proud that at least one day of the year we have an opportunity to highlight their dedication and thank them for the work they do to keep us safe.”