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| Messenger photo by Rachel Scofield |
| Reynoldsburg police detective Kevin McDonnell holds the award for "outstanding public service." |
In a brief presentation Aug. 26, Timothy Dunn, vice commander for American Legion Post 798, awarded a certificate to Reynoldsburg Police detective Kevin McDonnell for "outstanding public service benefiting our community, state and nation."
Police chief David Suciu recommended McDonnell for the honor after talking with his lieutenants.
"You are all fine officers, however one name kept coming up for doing an outstanding job for the citizens of Reynoldsburg," Suciu said. "Give him a task and you know it will be done right."
In January, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge Nine named McDonnell "Officer of the Week."
The FOP bestowed the honor after McDonnell averted an apparent robbery attempt near the corner of Brice and Livingston.
According to the FOP Web site, McDonnell had observed the suspect pacing in front of a pawnshop. When the suspect tried to flee, the detective ordered him to raise his hands.
Protruding from the suspect’s right coat pocket was a handgun. Police later determined that the pistol had been stolen from a vehicle in Canton earlier that same day.
McDonnell is the first police officer to receive the American Legion’s award.
"What we are trying to do is recognize the people in our community and number one (to receive recognition) are our first liners," Dunn said.
