SUMMERDALE - The Summerdale Police Department had two things to celebrate during the town’s March Council meeting: the Officer of the Year and the introduction of the department’s first K9 unit police dog.

The department kicked off with announcing the 2020 Officer of the Year, Officer Ben Zimlich. Zimlich was selected by the Command Staff. He was awarded an honorary plaque from the department and a monetary award donated by Baldwin EMC.

“Dedication and integrity are highly sought-after qualities,” said Deputy Chief Vince Miller. “When searching for an Officer of the Year, we’re looking for these qualities along with others that might make an individual stand out. For the year of 2020, we chose one of our best. Not only has he conducted himself honorably as a senior officer, he’s reached out for even more responsibilities … He has definitely stepped up and demonstrated what it means to be intentional.”

During the year 2020, Zimlich issued 708 written warnings and citations and made 69 arrests, nine which were major felonies.

“I saw where on the department’s website, you have ‘expect excellence,’” said Baldwin EMC’s Vice President of Corporate Services and Public Relations Mark Ingram. “I want to tell you that they do serve us with excellence in everything that they do, and we appreciate everything that this department does for us, we appreciate the way they protect the area, and the way they help us out each and every day.”

After the Officer of the Year presentation, Police Chief Kevin Brock then introduced the newest member of the Summerdale PD: Thomas the Dutch Shephard, the department’s first canine officer. Plans for the Summerdale K9 unit began last year. Thomas is ready to hit the streets with his handler, Officer Cody Logan. Logan recently completed a ten-week K9 training school in North Alabama.

For more information, visit www.summerdaleal.com/police-department and follow the department on Facebook.