The Omaha Police Foundation held their 16th annual Officer of the Year luncheon on Thursday.
“It's an honor for me to lead these men and women,” said Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer.
Nine officers and one non-sworn member of the Omaha Police Department were recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty.
“We got a call that a gentlemen had been on the phone with his sister saying he was going to commit suicide and then we got another message that he was going to do it right away,” said Officer Adam Jaworski.
Officer Adam Jaworski and his partner Officer Justin Knapp rescued a man moments before he attempted to commit suicide. The two officers were presented with Lifesaving medals.
“I don’t feel that I necessarily did anything special. I was just there to help a guy who really needed it and I think anyone of us would have done the same thing,” said Officer Jaworski.
Thursday’s top honor went to fallen Officer Kerrie Orozco. Her mother and grandmother accepted the award on her behalf.
“It was 11 months ago yesterday she was killed. Thank you for this,” said Kerrie’s mom, Ellen Holtz.
Officer Orozco wasn’t just a role model in the department.
“She was a great person and our kids still talk about her to this day. I just tell the community to Kerrie On,” said Boys and Girls Club President Ivan Gilreath.
Ivan Gilreath says Kerrie volunteered a lot of her time at his club. On Thursday, the Boys and Girls Club received a check in her honor.
“She can continue to help those kids even though she is physically not on this earth anymore,” said Gilreath.
Officer Jaworski says it is an honor to be recognized at the same awards ceremony as Officer Kerrie Orozco.
“I remember going on a call with her one time and saying hey thanks a lot, I owe you one and she said for this you owe me more than one, well now we all owe her one,” said Jaworski.
