Public Servant Awards
Dispatcher of the Year
VFW Post 6464
2024-2025
VFW Post 6464 Dispatchers of the Year Winners
2024-2025 No Applicants
2023-2024 No Applicants
2022-2023 No Applicants
2021-2022 No Applicants
2020-2021 No Applicants
District Winner *
Department of Michigan Winner **
VFW National Winner ***
EMT/Paramedic of the Year
VFW Post 6464
Livingston County Emergency Medical Service
2024-2025
Robert Cindric
Robert Cindric was nominated by Deputy Director Amy Chapman with Livingston County EMS.
Deputy Director Amy Chapman’s Recommendation:
"I am writing to nominate Robert Cindric for the EMT of the Year Award in recognition of his exceptional service and dedication to emergency medical services in Livingston County.
Robert C. Cindric has served as a Paramedic in Livingston County from 2005 to the present, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to his community. Throughout his career, he has held multiple critical roles, including:
•Field Training Officer
•Shift Coordinator
•Critical Care Paramedic
Rob exemplifies the highest standards of emergency medical services through his:
•Exceptional clinical skills
•Remarkable work ethic
•Commitment to mentoring new EMS professionals
•Unwavering integrity in patient care
Cindric has been an invaluable asset to Livingston County, consistently going above and beyond in his professional responsibilities. His dedication to patient care and professional development makes him an outstanding candidate for EMT of the Year.
I strongly recommend Robert C. Cindric for this prestigious award, as he truly represents the best of emergency medical services and embodies the spirit of exceptional patient care.”
Paramedic Robert Cindric from Livingston County Emergency Medical Service, is VFW Post 6464 EMT/Paramedic of the Year for 2024-2025. He is receiving a cashier’s check in the amount of $300.00, a certificate and plaque. Paramedic Robert Cindric was not able to attend tonight. His award is being accepted by Andy King, Livingston County Medical Service.
VFW Post 6464 Emergency Medical Service Winner
2024-2025 Robert Cindric Livingston County Emergency Medical Serice Howell, Michigan
2023-2024 Saralynn Bush Livingston County Emergency Medical Serice Howell, Michigan **
2022-2023 Richard Landis Livingston County Emergency Medical Serice Howell, Michigan
2021-2022 No Applicants
2020-2021 No Applicants
District Winner *
Department of Michigan Winner **
VFW National Winner ***
Fire Fighter of the Year
VFW Post 6464
No Applicant
2023-2024
VFW Post 6464 High Firefighter of the Year Winners
2024-2025 No Applicant
2023-2024 No Applicant
2022-2023 Julia Daily Fowlerville Area Fire Department Fowlerville, Michigan
2021-2022 No Applicant
2020-2021 No Applicant
District Winner *
Department of Michigan Winner **
VFW National Winner ***
Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
VFW Post 6464
Howell Police Department
2024-2025
Deputy Chief Matthew Kelleher
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Deputy Chief Matthew Kelleher was nominated by Howell, Police Chief Michael Dunn.
Chief Michael Dunn’s Recommendation:
"I would like to nominate Deputy Chief Matthew Kelleher for the Public Servant Award in Law Enforcement. Deputy Chief Kelleher currently serves as the Operations Chief of the Howell Police Depa1tment, ensuring the successful daily operation of the department covering everything from staff to equipment.
DC Kelleher started his career with the Howell Police Department in 1997. During his career with the department, he has served in multiple capacities such as School Resource Officer, Instructor, and Field Training Officer. In addition to the multiple billets that he has served in, Deputy Chief has also held the ranks of Police Officer, Sergeant, and Captain prior to his appointment to Deputy Chief.
In 2022, Deputy Chief Kelleher (then a Captain) retired from the Howell Police Department. He returned months later in the newly created civilian role of Accreditation Manager. In this position, he managed the Howell Police Department’s accreditation program that he was instrumental in establishing. The process is through the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP) and consists of over one hundred standards that must be met and maintained to be certified as accredited.
In 2024, Mr. Kelleher was appointed to the position of Deputy Chief and assigned as the Operations Chief for city police operations. Numerous tasks fall under his purview such as the supervision of the Sergeants, general departmental operations for road patrol and special assignments, MACP Accreditation, and far too many more to list.
In 2016, the Howell Police Department took on the challenge of seeking accreditation through the MACP Accreditation process. This process consists of over I 00 standards that the department is required to meet of which many require "proofs" that the best practice recommended is in fact being conducted and maintained by the department. An example of this would be proof of Anti-Bias training, reports on annual use of force incidents, as well as much more. This is no small task, and this is not something that is done occasionally. This program requires constant (virtually daily) work on ensuring that records are current, and standards are being adhered to.
As this endeavor was taken on by the depa1iment it was quickly evident that there needed to be a single point of contact that was the head of this process and Deputy Chief (then Sergeant) Kelleher took that challenge. He voluntarily changed his work schedule (not to his advantage) to ensure that this program was done right, and that the department was successful in achieving accredited status.
In 2019, after a thorough in person inspection and assessment of the Howell Police Depa1iment, we were awarded an accredited status at the MACP Chief Conference. Since 2019, the department was reaccredited again in 2023. The reaccreditation process occurs every 3 years and a part of that process is an on-site inspection of documents, records, "proofs", and so on. The Howell Police Department is again up for reaccreditation in 2026 which will require inspections in 2025. Deputy Chief Kelleher has put the department in very good standing for another successful reaccreditation.
In addition to the task of accreditation, Deputy Chief Kelleher is the employee who works more than anyone in the agency and often has to be told to go home or take vacation. His dedication to the success of the disarmament, the great relationship with the community, and the well-being of his staff are unmatched. He is an absolute professional in every sense of the word.
Deputy Chief Kelleher attends nearly all meetings with community stakeholders to plan events and prepare for successful safety and security at all events such as Balloon Fest, Melon Fest, and others. He volunteers his off time for community events such as Shop with a Cop and Coffee with a Cop. Another task that he volunteers his time for is to do assessments at other departments seeking accreditation. This is where he goes to other departments in the State of Michigan to inspect their program to ensure that they rise to the level of certification. This is a very labor-intensive task that is outside of his employment with the department.
As of 2024, Deputy Chief Kelleher has successfully implemented several pieces of new technology within the department such as Guarding Tracking, Virtual Academy, and the Axon in Car Camera System. The Guarding Tracking system is designed to track both good and bad documentation for officers. The system tracks evaluations, awards, positive recognition, as well as discipline. This system is designed to work directly with required standards of accreditation.
Virtual Academy is an online training system that allows officers to complete required as well as additional training on topics such as sexual harassment, ethics, legal updates, and so on. This system also tracks the training of new officers, and documents how they are doing in the training program.
The Axon in Car Camera System that Deputy Chief Kelleher was a part of was successfully implemented in 2024. This required him to be present on his off time to ensure successful installation across the entire fleet of vehicles. Additionally, he had to be present in meetings and webinars to ensure proper setup for use. The system has led the department to be able to communicate with the Prosecutor's Office by sending files (video and data) electronically, which used to require an officer to handle in person. This puts officers on the road more and allows them to do the duties of police officer rather than delivery driver. It also allows the department to fulfill Freedom of Information Act requests via email by creating a link for the requested documents or video that the requester can electronically access.
In his more than 25 years of service to the Howell community, Deputy Chief Kelleher has been awarded an Outstanding Service medal, an Instructors Ribbon, and a Field Training Officer ribbon for display on his department uniform. His service to the youth of the community as a DARE Officer and School Resource Officer was a crucial part of the youth education in the community. In 2024, he was also presented with the Above and Beyond Award in person from Attorney General Dana Nessel for his work in accreditation.
As the Chief of the Howell Police Department, I am so very thankful for department members like Deputy Chief Kelleher who take their jobs to heat and want to see only the best for our community. Deputy Chief Kelleher is a true quite professional and never seeks recognition for his efforts. For this, I would like to recognize his efforts and ensure that the community knows the level of professionalism that they have serving them behind the scenes.”
Deputy Chief Matthew Kelleher from Howell Police Department, is VFW Post 6464 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for 2024-2025. He is receiving a cashier's check in the amount of $300.00, a certificate and plaque.
Law Enforcement Officer Winners
2024-2025 Deputy Chief Matthew Kelleher Howell Police Department Howell, MI
2023-2024 Deputy Patrick Hollern Ing County Sherrif's Office Mason, MI
2022-2023 Deputy Ray Morino Liv County Sherrif's Office Howell, MI
2022-2023 Lieutenant Chauncy Shattuck Ing County Sherrif's Office Mason, MI**
2022-2023 Anthony Dale Coln Fowlerville Police Dept. Fowlerville, MI
2021-2022 Deputy Richard Stack Ing County Sherrif's Office Mason, MI
2020-2021 No Applicant
District Winner *
Department of Michigan Winner **
VFW National Winner ***
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) of the Year
VFW Post 6464
No Applicant
2024-2025
VFW Post 6464 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Winners
2024-2025 No Applicant
2023-2022 No Applicant
2022-2021 No Applicant
2021-2020 No Applicant
2020-2021 No Applicant
District Winner *
Department of Michigan Winner **
VFW National Winner ***
