McElroy named 2023 Marietta Officer of the Year
Marietta Police Chief Katie Warden, right, speaks about Marietta Patrolman Justin McElroy, left, during a ceremony honoring McElroy as the Marietta Police Department’s 2023 Officer of the Year on Monday morning. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)
On Monday, Marietta Police Patrolman Justin McElroy, back row third from left, poses with his plaque for winning the Marietta Police Department’s 2023 Officer of the Year, as his father Neil McElroy, back row left, his mother Cheryl McElroy, back row second from left, his wife Jayla McElroy, back row fourth from left, and his daughter Maezlie McElroy, front row, smile and stand in support. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)
Marietta Police Chief Katie Warden, right, speaks about Marietta Patrolman Justin McElroy, left, during a ceremony honoring McElroy as the Marietta Police Department’s 2023 Officer of the Year on Monday morning. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)
On Monday, Marietta Police Patrolman Justin McElroy, back row third from left, poses with his plaque for winning the Marietta Police Department’s 2023 Officer of the Year, as his father Neil McElroy, back row left, his mother Cheryl McElroy, back row second from left, his wife Jayla McElroy, back row fourth from left, and his daughter Maezlie McElroy, front row, smile and stand in support. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)
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MARIETTA -- The Marietta Police Department honored one of its own Monday morning as it kicked off National Police Week by holding a ceremony to name its 2023 Officer of the Year.
Police Chief Katie Warden stood in front of the memorial to fallen Washington County police officers on Putnam Street and announced the 2023 Marietta Police Department Officer of the Year is Patrolman Justin McElroy.
National Police Week, according to its website, offers honor, remembrance, and peer support, while allowing law enforcement, survivors and citizens to gather and pay homage to those who gave their lives in the line of duty.
"It is a privilege to congratulate you as the 2023 office of the year," Warden said as McElroy stood beside her. "You have performed your law enforcement duties with honor and distinction and have earned this prestigious award. Your dedication to serving the public and protecting those who are vulnerable has not gone unnoticed."
Warden talked about one of McElroy's career achievements. She said his continued attention to detail helped him to identify a human trafficking victim during a traffic stop and this helped make the victim safe. She said the investigation led to a federal case in which the suspect was sentenced to 25 years in prison for child exploitation offenses.
"This kind of policing is to be commended,'" Warden said. "You have demonstrated your desire to go above and beyond the call of duty by being a teamplayer, showing a sincerity to learn and putting others before yourself. You have embodied our core values and made Marietta a better and safer place. I commend you for working hard and improving every day."
Warden then handed McElroy a plaque and a letter that she wrote to him.
McElroy's wife Jayla McElroy said Justin McElroy has worked as a police officer for almost nine years and this is the first time he had received an award.
"I'm very happy for him," she said.
Justin McElroy said he was honored to be selected as the Officer of the Year.
"I think we have a great department full of hard working guys and I think it's nice to be recognized for going out and doing the job everyday," he said.
McElroy's parents, Neil McElroy and Cheryl McElroy, and his daughter Maezlie McElroy, also attended the ceremony. His other daughter, Kenzlie McElroy, was unable to attend because she was in school, according to Jayla McElroy.
"He is an exemplary officer and Marietta's citizens should be happy to have an officer like him," Warden said after the ceremony.
She said McElroy always strives to learn and improve every day and is a team player with a wonderful attitude and he is known for doing excellent drug work.
"I can't think of anyone more deserving," Warden said.
Michelle Dillon can be reached at mdillon@newsandsentinel.com