Sherjuan Cunningham of Rockville Barrack named MDSP Communications Operator of the Year

Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel William Pallozzi announced the statewide “Trooper of the Year” and “Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year” awards today.

The 2015 Trooper of the Year is Trooper First Class Casey Ruth, of the Leonardtown Barrack. The 2015 Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year is Sergeant Robert Petras, of the Westminster Barrack. The 2015 Police Communications Operator of the Year is Police Communications Operator Sherjuan Cunningham of the Rockville Barrack. The 2015 Police Communications Supervisor of the Year is Police Communications Supervisor Regana Fontaine of the Salisbury Barrack.

“The positive impact on public safety made by the Maryland State Police only happens because of the dedication to duty our troopers and civilian employees exhibit each day,” Colonel Pallozzi said. “The level of commitment, hard work, and leadership of each of these employees during the past year has been exemplary and has contributed significantly to our ability to serve and protect the citizens of our state. I congratulate each of them and am grateful for their willingness to do their best for the people of Maryland.”

According to a news release, TFC Casey Ruth is the first female to win the statewide Trooper of the Year award. She was a member of the 139th Trooper Candidate Class and graduated in early 2013. She was assigned to the Leonardtown Barrack and has worked there ever since.

In 2015, TFC Ruth led the Field Operations Bureau in criminal arrests with 72 and served an additional 21 arrest warrants. She ranked at or near the top of almost every other statistical category at a very competitive barrack. She made 1,435 traffic stops, issued 859 citations, 853 warnings, 477 safety equipment repair orders, and arrested 18 impaired drivers. TFC Ruth was named the Leonardtown Barrack Trooper of the Month for five times in 2015, more than any other trooper at the barrack.

The “Police Communications Operator of the Year” and “Police Communications Supervisor of the Year” awards are presented to those communication professionals who represent the finest attributes of the police profession. These include integrity, determination, selflessness, courage, enthusiasm and dedication to duty.

During 2015, PCO Sherjuan Cunningham performed her duties as a Police Communications Operator in an exemplary manner, according to a Maryland State Police Department news release. Her outstanding performance impressed both the command staff of the Rockville Barrack as well as other troopers working in the Washington Metro Troop.

In addition, Police Communications Operator Cunningham is one of the first Maryland State Police communication officers to achieve national telecommunications certification. Her exemplary performance in managing a tractor and trailer crash which resulted in a chemical spill that shut down Interstate 495 for four hours and her dedication in locating a missing person as a result of a Silver Alert contributed to her being named the 2015 “Police Communications Operator of the Year.”

For more on all the awards, visit the Maryland State Police Department’s website, here.

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