O’FALLON, IL. – The O’Fallon Police Department recently held its 2025 awards banquet to recognize the dedication, service, and professionalism of its team, honoring employees for career milestones and presenting commendations for work ranging from DUI enforcement to investigations.
At the banquet, the department recognized retirement and service milestones, issued letters of appreciation, and presented major awards, including Officer of the Year and Civilians of the Year.
Major awards included Civilians of the Year for Valerie Hancock and Tammy Dewitt of the Records Division, and Officer of the Year for Officer Brad Lewis.
Life-saving awards were presented to Officer Brad Lewis and Officer Chad Finan, as well as to Officer Ben Sosa and Officer Michael Shewmaker, and to telecommunicator Elizabeth Henry. The Medal of Valor was awarded to Officer Brett Johnson.
Retired Officer Adam Taulbee received a retirement plaque for 18 years of service. The department also recognized five-year milestones for Teresa Lambert, Caryn Wierciszewski, Brandon Michel, Adam Heuser and Kamu Britto; 10-year milestones for Michelle Foster, Mick Hunter, Joseph Wagner and Michael Adamson; a 15-year milestone for Nicholas Schmidt; and 25-year milestones for Brian Gimpel and Mike Mojzis.
“Thank you to every member of the O’Fallon Police Department for your continued dedication to excellence and service to our community,” the department said.
DUI enforcement milestones were recognized by the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorist. The honorees were Officer Daniel Hesselbacher for 25 and 50; Officer Bedwan (#143) for 10; Officer Goodman (#135) for 10 and 25; Officer Gonzalez (#136) for 25; Officer Michel (#118) for 50; Officer Lewis (#140) for 25 and 50; Officer Votrain (#129) for 50; and Sgt. Wagner (#102) for 200.
Chief’s commendations were awarded for DUI enforcement to Officer Brad Lewis; for a fraud investigation to Officer Nicholas Luttrell; for an auto theft investigation to Sgt. Bill Barlock; and for overall proactivity to Officer Marshall Goodman.
Letters of appreciation were presented to members of the Investigations and Patrol divisions “for their work in the successful conclusion of a recent homicide investigation,” the department said.
