Optimist Club of Downtown Flint announce 'Officer of the Year' awardees

FLINT, Mich. - April 26, 2016 - PRLog -- Five area police officers will be recognized by the Downtown Flint Optimist Club at a luncheon celebrating National Law Day Monday, May 2. Sonitrol Tri-County (http://www.sonitrolverified.com/) - one of Michigan's largest locally owned and operated security firms - is proud to again sponsor the annual event, which will be held beginning at noon at the Genesee Career Institute, G-5081 Torrey Road in Flint.

The awards honor deserving officers who have demonstrated exceptional bravery, achievement, and genuine commitment to their profession and the citizens they serve.  Sonitrol Tri-County has been sponsoring the event for the past eight years.

"We are excited to once again host this great event, honoring officers for their heroism, dedication, and outstanding service to the public," said Mike Buckel, Optimist Club past president and vice president of operations for Sonitrol Tri-County.

The Optimist Club of Downtown Flint congratulates each of this year's honorees:

Sergeant Joseph Hall, and Officers Bobby Fowlkes and Felix Trevino - City of Flint Police Department; Detective Sergeant Kariann Nelson - Genesee County Sheriff's Office, and Trooper Rick Jones - Michigan State Police.

In addition, the club is honoring Dale Scott Irby, a second year Public Safety / Homeland Security student at the Genesee Career Institute, as its Student of the Year.

Flint police officers Hall, Fowlkes and Trevino are being honored for their bravery, professionalism and teamwork in February 2015, resulting in the arrest of three persons under surveillance who were involved in a home shooting incident. During the incident, multiple exchanges of gunfire took place.

Sgt. Hall is also being recognized for the arrest of three persons during an attempted murder incident in February 2015, in which 13 children were discovered living in the suspect's home in squalid conditions. The children were later placed with family members.

Detective Sergeant Nelson is being recognized for leading a rigorous criminal investigation after a Genesee County Jail female inmate filed a sexual harassment complaint. The investigation led to even more serious charges of sexual abuse involving the inmate and several other victims. A 50-count criminal sexual conduct was later filed against an area licensed psychologist, who pled guilty to the charges.

Trooper Jones, the Sex Offender Coordinator for the Michigan State Police Flint Post, is being recognized for conducting numerous investigations which led to the arrests of two of Michigan's most wanted sex offenders, along with suspects involved in a child pornography ring and human trafficking, and at least 50 sex offender registry violators in the area served by the Flint MSP.

Additionally, Trooper Jones led the planning, organization, and mobilization of fellow troopers, six human services agencies, and more than 1,000 volunteers assisting the City of Flint in the delivery of emergency water supplies and water filters at the onset of the city's water crisis.

"Especially in these challenging times," says Mike Wanstreet, Sonitrol Tri-County president, "it is important to pause and salute the men and women who fearlessly serve our communities and citizens. It continues to be Sonitrol's privilege to honor those officers who demonstrate heroism, valor, and a great respect for law."

President Eisenhower first declared National Law Day in 1958. It is meant to reflect on the role of law in the foundation of the country and recognize its importance for society.

For more information on Optimist Clubs visit www.optimist.org.

About Sonitrol Tri-County

As one of the nation's largest commercial security companies, Sonitrol offers integrated security solutions, featuring a unique verified audio detection technology. Sonitrol provides businesses with a single source of state-of-the-art alarms for verified audio and video intrusion, as well as video surveillance, access control and fire detection, all backed with professional monitoring by experienced, trained personnel. Sonitrol Tri-County's regional headquarters and state-of-the-art monitoring center are located in Grand Blanc, Mich. For more information, go to www.sonitrolverified.com