Duff saluted as HPD Employee of the Year

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
OFFICER HONORED — Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin, left, presents Cpl. Dana Duff with a plaque for being named HPD’s “Employee of the Year” during a Nov. 29 ceremony.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Rarely do police officers receive gratitude for the work they do on a daily basis.
    To remedy that matter, the Houlton Police Department held its inaugural Employee Recognition Awards banquet Nov. 29 to recognize those officers and individuals who serve above and beyond the call of duty.
    Held inside the Houlton Fire Department’s training room, the highlight of the evening was the announcement of the “Employee of the Year” award. Cpl. Dana Duff, a 37-year veteran of the police force, was chosen to receive the honor.
    Among the 50 family and friends in attendance were retired police chief Darrell Malone and retired Cpl. Terry Beaton.
    “I would like to welcome everyone here tonight for our first-ever awards banquet,” Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin said. “As a member of this department, we often do things that seem extraordinary to some, but to the officer or dispatcher handling the call, it is all about just doing our job and being able to go home. I couldn’t count the number of instances over the course of a year where the people of this department have all performed above and beyond the call of duty. An officer shouldn’t have to solve a major crime in order to receive recognition. It is about doing the basics and performing above one’s expectations.  It can be something as simple as the way you handled a barking dog complaint, the manner in which you treated the victim of a crime or the amount of tireless hours spent on an investigation.”
    Houlton Town Manager Doug Hazlett also addressed the group, stating his approval of the ceremony.
    “I think this is something that we should be doing more of,” Hazlett said. “In this day and age, I don’t think I need to remind any of you, that people are too quick to point out when something is not done right. We often don’t take time to recognize excellence.”
    Asselin said he had little difficulty in choosing Duff for the Employee of the Year award.
    “What can you say about a person who has spent his entire career of 37 years with just one police department?” Asselin said. “Some would say that it was unheard of. I would say that it was magnificent and a tribute to him and the town of Houlton. He deserves to be commended for it. Throughout his career, Dana has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to duty.
    “Dana would do anything to help his fellow brothers and sisters in law enforcement,” Asselin continued. “He is just that kind of guy.”
    Duff started his career with the Houlton Police Department on Sept. 1, 1974. He began as a patrol officer and later was promoted to corporal. After Duff suffered a major heart attack, some doubted he would return, Asselin said. He is the longest serving police officer in the history of Houlton’s police department.
    “Dana is known community-wide for his folksy mannerisms and humor,” the chief said. “There have been many instances where people will give themselves up or calm down just by Dana’s mere presence. What an effect to have on people’s lives.  You can’t buy that sort of thing at the Academy.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
RECOGNIZED — Sgt. Eric Crouse, left, and Sgt. Fred Parker were lauded for their field training work with the Houlton Police Department by Chief Butch Asselin, right.
    An emotional Duff fought back tears as the chief presented him with his plaque.
    “Thank you very much for this award,” Duff said. “I am blessed to work with great people. You guys do a great job.”
    The chief also recognized the following individuals with service pins:
    • Five-year pins — officers Jared Sylvia, Matthew Quint, Stephen Nason, Anita Levesque, Michael Collodel, Ezekiel Collins and Animal Control Officer Kevin Upton.
    • 10-year pin — Dispatcher Wanda Scott.
    • 35-year pin — Lt. Daniel Pelletier.
    Outside agencies receiving awards were the Maine State Police and United States Border Patrol for their assistance on March 30, 2011 during the investigation of a nine-hour police standoff with a Cyr bus passenger.
    Organizers of the Adopt-a-Block program were recognized for its efforts of assisting citizens by going door to door in selected neighborhoods and speaking with the residents about their needs and providing them with services.
    The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency was recognized for its assistance to the Houlton Police Department in the fall of 2010 during the investigation of a methamphetamine lab that was located in the town.
    The Maine Army National Guard was recognized for its assistance in work performed to update the police shooting range.
    Drug Abuse Resistance Education Officer Stephen Nason was presented with an award for his continued participation in the DARE program. Officer Nason has been teaching DARE for the past three years and has had approximately 400 students through his class.
    Field Training Sergeants Eric Crouse and Fred Parker were also recognized.
    “Rarely is the Field Training Officer recognized for their role in the success in the overall operations of the police department,” Asselin said. “Fortunately, for the Houlton Police Department we have two exceptional people who perform this function admirably.  Sgt. Frederick Parker brings his two decades of experience and training from the Delray Beach Police Department in Florida to this department.  Sgt. Eric Crouse is one of the most highly trained and what I refer to as being one of the most “cop-smart” officers on the department.  Together they are responsible for training over a half dozen department personnel thus far.
    The “Outstanding Service Award” was presented to dispatcher Scott. Asselin told how on July 4, 2011, a gentleman reported his dog unexpectedly ran away from him after being frightened by the fireworks display. Scott was not the dispatcher that took the initial call, but she took it upon herself to contact the gentleman the next day to find out whether or not the dog was still missing.
    Sgt. Parker was also presented with the “Leadership Award” for his role in the March 30 Cyr bus incident. Sgt. Parker was the supervisor on duty that night and made several trips to the bus on foot to communicate with the individual who claimed to have a bomb, thereby placing himself in harm’s way, the chief said.
    Cheryl Tingley received the “Valuable Contribution” award. Tingley was hired by the department as a custodian, but has also performed work as a painter, carpenter, electrician and plumber. “Little by little and with lots of sweat and effort, Cheryl transformed this building into something that we can all be proud of,” Asselin said.
    Audrey L. York also received a “Valuable Contribution” award for her work in painting a new mural on the wall inside the Houlton Police Department. To commemorate her work, a plaque was mounted in her honor.