Rotary Club recognizes Officers of the Year

L-R: Bryan Clements, GP/JC Rotary Club President, Pct 2 Deputy Constable Cpl. Mark McGinnis, GP Sgt. Mike Knox, GP Chief Rick Gonzales, JC Patrolman Ali Kamali and JC Chief Joe Ayala (Photo by Allan Jamail)
L-R: Bryan Clements, GP/JC Rotary Club President, Pct 2 Deputy Constable Cpl. Mark McGinnis, GP Sgt. Mike Knox, GP Chief Rick Gonzales, JC Patrolman Ali Kamali and JC Chief Joe Ayala (Photo by Allan Jamail)

By Allan Jamail

Galena Park, TX. – On Tuesday, May 15th, 2018, the Galena Park/Jacinto City Rotary Club recognized Law Officers of the Year from police departments of Galena Park, Jacinto City and the Precinct 2 Constable’s Office.

Galena Park Interim Police Chief Rick Gonzales, since taking office in February, chose Sergeant Mike Knox, a 30 year veteran of the department, as the Officer of the Year. Gonzales said, “Sgt. Knox is my Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the department this year. Our department wouldn’t be the same without him; I quickly learned I could depend on him to take care of any assignment given.”

Jacinto City Police Chief Joe Ayala named Patrolman Ali Kamali as his officer of the year, calling him a true public servant. “His recognition comes due to his outstanding service to the community, he has a big heart and makes it a habit to check on the concerns of our elderly and at times he goes out of his way taking expenses out of his own pocket to make it better for someone in need,” Ayala said.

Chief Ayala added, “Recently Officer Kamali responded to a call of an armed robbery at the CVS Pharmacy. Due to his quick response Officer Kamali located the suspects boarding a vehicle. Kamali and other responding officers were able to apprehend six suspects. Again a week later, he with a team effort was involved in the apprehension of four more robbery suspects.”

Bryan Clements, GP/JC Rotary Club President, recognized Harris County Deputy Constable Corporal Mark McGinnis of Precinct 2 as Officer of the Year. Clements said, “Corporal McGinnis, a 22 year veteran of the Galena Park School District’s contract deputy program, has a broad range of experience and has proven to be a valuable asset to the district.”

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

In the nation since the beginning of 2018 there have been 54 line of duty deaths. Causes of death: 9/11 related illness 3, Assault 1, Automobile crash 13, Drowned 1, Gunfire 27, Gunfire (Accidental) 1, Heart attack 3, Struck by vehicle 2, Vehicle pursuit 1, Vehicular assault 2.