December 4, 2022, was a very special night for the Ozark Police Department – our 7th Annual Awards Banquet. This event allows The Chief of Police and his Command Staff to formally recognize members of the department and community for their exemplary service.
Civilian Service Award
The Civilian Service Award is given for the performance of an outstanding act of service by a civilian, for saving a human life, or substantially aiding a police officer in his or her duty.
- Ozark Police Department Chaplain Don Currence
First Line Supervisor / Executive Development Ribbon
The First Line Supervisor / Executive Development Ribbon is awarded to an officer who successfully completes the First Line Supervisor course. A gold star is awarded for successful completion of Executive Development.
- Sergeant Nathan Lewis
- Sergeant Matt Jones
- Corporal Danisha Smith
- Corporal Brad Redden
U.S. Military Service Award
Awarded for honorably serving in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces; one star is attached to the Military Service Award for each combat service in a U.S. military Campaign.
Unit Commendation Award
The Unit Commendation is awarded to any division, squad, unit, or group of individuals that achieve a commendable act in the line of duty.
- Sergeant Nathan Lewis,
- Sergeant Trevor Spencer,
- Officer Thomas Richardson
- Officer Cory Turner
- Officer Tanner Gilmore
- Sergeant Trevor Spencer
- Officer Cory Turner
- Corporal Shonda Jackson
- Officer Cory Turner
- Sergeant Tommy Wade
- Corporal Kyle Prince
- Corporal Greg O’Neil
- Detective Corey Hodzic
- Detective Stephen Conner
- Officer Austin Ponder
- Officer Jessica Brown
- Officer Jonah Crim
- Officer Thomas Richardson
- Officer Tanner Gilmore
- Officer Josh Wahl
Administrative Commendation Award
The Administrative Commendation is given to department personnel who submit a device or method adopted by the department to increase efficiency in administrative or tactical procedures; or for innovating a valuable and successful program in the area of community affairs.
- Corporal Kyle Prince
- Detective Taylor Wheeler
Honorable Service Award
The Honorable Service Award is awarded for a credible act in the line of duty by the officer that meets some, but not all, of the requirements for other medals, or for an act that showed initiative, innovation, and accomplishment by the officer.
Exceptional Service Award
The Exceptional Service Award requires a highly credible accomplishment by an officer that brings public acclaim to himself or herself, to the department, or to the police profession.
- Sergeant Matt Jones
- Corporal Danisha Smith
- Officer Ben Cook
- Officer Josh Wahl
- Officer Brandon Marsillo
- Officer Jeremy Watson
- Detective Taylor Wheeler
- Detective Corey Hodzic
Meritorious Service Award
The Meritorious Service Award is a highly unusual accomplishment by the officer, where under adverse conditions with some degree of hazard to life and limb of the officer, death or injury to a third party is prevented.
- Sergeant Tommy Wade
- Corporal Kyle Prince
- Officer Tanner Gilmore
- Officer Jeremy Watson
- Officer Austin Ponder
- Officer Cory Turner
Lifesaving Award
The Lifesaving Award is given for the act of saving/prolonging a human life by the officer through the prompt and alert action of the officer, or with some degree of hazard to the life or well-being of the officer.
- Officer Brandon Marsillo
- Corporal Brad Redden
- Officer Jonah Crim
- Officer Thomas Richardson
- Officer Josh Wahl
- Officer Miranda Monroe
Left: Captian Derek Hill, Officer Brandon Marsillo, Corporal Brad Redden, Lieutenant Ben Deutscher
Left: Captian Derek Hill, Officer Thomas Richardson, Officer Josh Wahl, Lieutenant Ben Deutscher
Left: Captian Derek Hill, Officer Miranda Monroe, Lieutenant Ben Deutscher
Chief’s Award
The Chief’s Award is awarded by the Chief of Police for a high degree of dedication and professionalism by the officer/member that shows a continuing commitment to the department, and sets worthwhile standards for fellow officers/members to follow.
- Sergeant Trevor Spencer
- Corporal Greg O’Neil
- Detective Stephen Conner
- Officer Austin Ponder

Left: Chief Justin Arnold, Sergeant Trevor Spencer

Left: Chief Justin Arnold, Corporal Greg O’Neil
Left: Chief Justin Arnold, Detective Stephen Conner
Left: Chief Justin Arnold, Officer Austin Ponder
Officer of the Year
This is the highest possible award that can be earned by personnel at the Ozark Police Department. The recipients are selected by the Chief of Police for the demonstration of an exceptionally high degree of dedication and professionalism throughout the year that shows a continuing commitment to the department, and sets worthwhile standards for fellow peers to follow.
Back Row: Lieutenant Jared Drye, Chief Justin Arnold, Captian Derek Hill, Lieutenant Ben Deutscher Front Row: Corporal Justin Brown