ROCKLAND — The Knox County Sheriff’s Office held its annual employee recognition banquet Feb. 4 at The Landings restaurant in Rockland. Approximately 50 people attended along with the officers receiving awards for their accomplishments in 2016, according to a news release from Chief Deputy Tim Carroll.

Sheriff Donna Dennison recognized six members of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office for their heroic and leadership duties and one community person with a special recognition award for his service to the Office, as well as the whole community of Knox County.

The first two recipients of awards were for lifesaving actions in the course of duty.

Corrections Officer Dennis Palmer rescued an inmate one night from attempting to harm himself in his cell. The inmate had made no communications or signs of wanting to harm himself, but due to Officer Palmer’s quick response, the person was saved and assisted to get the help he needed, Carroll said in the news release.

Lt. Patrick Polky was on duty the night of September 7, 2016, when he responded to a call from dispatch that a person had communicated that he was in distress. When Lt. Polky’s arrived at the scene and as he was exiting his cruiser, he heard a gunshot. Polky initially took a defensive tactical response not knowing whether he was being shot at or not. Once he verbally engaged with the subject he saw that the person had shot himself. Polky immediately called for EMS response and began lifesaving measures as the person had shot himself in the chest. The person has since recovered from his wounds and is back to work.

Two supervisors were recognized for their leadership at the Knox County Jail and on patrol. Sgt. Elmer Sweetland and Sgt. Matthew Elwell, respectively, were awarded “Supervisor of the Year” citations for their work as leaders within the organization.

Brandon Mosher was awarded “Corrections Officer of the Year” and Paul Spear as “Deputy of the Year.” Both were recognized for their work ethic and attitude as being outstanding in their profession.

Dennison presented a special award to Walker Hutchins of Burpee, Carpenter, and Hutchins Funeral Home in Rockland. She thanked him for all the work he has done and helped us with over the years. Carroll said in this remarks that “we wanted to recognize a person that we unfortunately see during troubling times in our professions.”

Carroll further said that “there is no better man in his profession than Walker Hutchins. When times are at their worst, Walker has a calming affect for all involved. I can speak for us in law enforcement, that even we feel better and know that things are going to be okay when Walker shows up on scene. This community is very fortunate to have someone like Walker in it.”

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com