The Frankfort Police Department announced four recipients of awards for 2023, including the Officer of the Year, Detective Joshua Danner, Medal of Bravery recipients, Lieutenant Joshua Ruben and officer Cristofer Alconedo, and Police Meritorious Achievement Medal recipient, Code Enforcement Officer Ed Russell.
Danner was announced as the Frankfort Police Department’s 2023 Office of the Year for demonstrating outstanding achievements and performances above and beyond the expected duties in serving the Frankfort community. The department stated that Danner showed strides in leadership and professionalism throughout 2023 to secure himself the award. Danner was nominated for Officer of the Year for both his on-duty and off-duty achievements, including his addition to the Crimes Against Children Task Force.
“Also, when the department was faced with changes in personnel, Detective Danner worked many weekend hours to help keep our building clean,” the department released. “He also helped fill many special events this summer and spent a third of his year on call for FPD. On his off-time, Detective Danner works extensively with Clinton County Special Olympics athletes in events such as basketball and corn hole. He is a coach, mentor and friend to the athletes. The athletes are extremely grateful for his leadership.”
Ruben and Alconedo were awarded the Medal of Bravery for their reactions to an incident on Nov. 19, 2023. According to the release, Ruben and Alconedo were dispatched to the vehicle that was submerged in the city lagoons. The department released further information regarding the incident that led to the qualification of Ruben and Alconedo for the Medal of Bravery.
“Without hesitating and without any special gear, Alconedo rushed into the water,” the department release. “Shortly after, Clinton County Sheriff’s Deputies Ryan West and Nevin Creasy went into the water. Lieutenant Ruben arrived and entered the water. The water was cold and the vehicle was submerged. All attempted to rescue the occupant. Frankfort Fire Department Firefighters Trent Booth and Jeff Moore were able to bring the occupant to shore where life-saving measures were given by Clinton County EMS.”
The Police Meritorious Achievement Medal is reportedly given to civilian employees at the department, and Russell was chosen with the reasoning that he aids everyone in need. The department stated that Russell went above and beyond his normal duties in 2023 to ensure that the department never stalled, such as striving to help when the department experienced personnel shortages.
“From emptying trash to fixing brakes, he was on the spot,” the department released. “All of this extra work was done in addition to keeping up with the requirements of his regular duty. Code Enforcement is a tough job, but officer Russell never complained. When any employee needed help, officer Russell was there.”