ST. GEORGE — Police officers in Washington City enjoyed dinner with their families Tuesday evening at a banquet that was catered as a show of appreciation for their service to the community. The banquet was followed by an annual awards ceremony that had been previously postponed due to the pandemic.
The dinner and awards ceremony was held in the large pavilion at Veterans Park located next to Washington City Hall, where nearly 100 officers and their families gathered to enjoy a meal consisting of tri-tip beef, corn dogs for the younger crowd, twice baked potatoes and baked beans. For dessert, guests were offered their choice of either pumpkin or cherry pie and ambrosia.
Paul Wilkinson, who organized the dinner, said the primary purpose behind the event was to recognize the officers for the important role they play in keeping the community safe, particularly at such a challenging time for law enforcement nationwide.
He said that after watching the news and seeing how law enforcement are being portrayed, he wanted to do something to show appreciation for the selfless service they provide.
Wilkinson referred to an incident a few weeks ago when his neighbors’ alarm went off. No one was home at the time, so Wilkinson went over to check the home, and as he was doing so, three Washington City Police officers showed up within minutes. The officers went through the property and checked the home to make sure it was empty before leaving.
“I just want them to know they are valued in this community,” Wilkinson said. “If it weren’t for them, this place would be a madhouse.”
Rebecca Pierce, Wilkinson’s daughter who has spent years owning her own catering business, flew in from North Carolina to help with the event.
Pierce said she is a “staunch supporter” of law enforcement and couldn’t imagine living in any community without them, adding it is the efforts of the officers that keep the community safe and that they go above and beyond to serve the citizens.
Ferrell and Venda Hill, who were serving food during the dinner, were scheduled to serve a mission with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints in Germany, but travel to the country was cancelled due to COVID-19, they said, so instead they are doing what they can to serve the community until travel resumes.
As dinner was winding down, the awards ceremony commenced. Washington City Police Chief Jason Williams told St. George News the catered dinner provided the perfect opportunity to present the awards, with so many officers and their families gathered in one place.
The Officer of the Year award was presented to Officer Nolan Tanner, while Lt. Kory Klotz received the Supervisor of the Year award.
In keeping up with the spirit of a physically fit department, Williams presented eight officers with the Superior Fitness award, three of whom have received the award for the past three years. Another recipient, Klotz, has been awarded for superior physical fitness six years running.
Mariam Davis received the Chief Award for doing “whatever it takes for our department,” Williams said.
In charge of keeping the department’s computer network and data technology running smoothly, IT expert Kelly Carlson, received the Interdepartmental Award” for going above and beyond in his efforts to maintain the network of data systems within the department.
A full list of the awards is included in the gallery.
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
L-R: Mariam Davis and Chief Jason Williams during dinner and awards ceremony held at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Officers line up during dinner and awards ceremony held at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Officers and their families enjoy a dinner hosted by Paul Wilkinson and his group at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Paul Wilkinson serving dinner to Washington City Police Officers at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Officers and their families enjoy a dinner hosted by Paul Wilkinson and his group at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Officers and their families enjoy a dinner hosted by Paul Wilkinson and his group at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Officers and their families enjoy a dinner hosted by Paul Wilkinson and his group at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Officers line up during dinner and awards ceremony held at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Officers line up during dinner and awards ceremony held at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Officers line up with Civilian Employee of the Year" Harrold Egger during dinner and awards ceremony held at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Washington City Police Chief Jason Williams speaks during dinner and awards ceremony held at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Officers line up during dinner and awards ceremony held at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Group led by Paul Wilkinson hosts dinner for police officers and their families at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Officers and their families enjoy a dinner hosted by Paul Wilkinson and his group at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Families line up for a dinner hosted by a group in honor of law enforcement held at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Adults and children alike enjoy dinner during event held at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Adults and children alike enjoy dinner during event held at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Group led by Paul Wilkinson hosts dinner for police officers and their families at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Officers and their families enjoy a dinner hosted by Paul Wilkinson and his group at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Officers line up during dinner and awards ceremony held at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Nearly 100 gather for Washington City Police dinner and awards ceremony held at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
Adults and children alike enjoy dinner during event held at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
List of all police award recipients presented during event held at Veterans Park, Washington City, Utah, Oct. 13, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cody Blowers was raised in South San Francisco, California. A 2013 graduate of Colorado Technical University, Cody earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in paralegal studies. Through the course of her academic studies she discovered that writing is her true passion, and she is committed to providing credible, integrated news coverage. Cody joined St. George News in 2015, and when she’s not busy chasing the news, she can generally be found chasing her young granddaughter, Kali.