KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HONOR OCPD CPL DENNIS EADE AS OFFICER OF THE YEAR

The Ocean City Knights of Columbus held their annual award ceremony on Wednesday, February 16, 2011.

Among their top honors, such as Firefighter of the Year, EMT of the Year, Teacher of the Year and Couple of the Year, the Knights of Columbus awarded Ocean City Cpl. Dennis Eade with the prestigious title of Officer of the Year.

“I am extremely proud of Cpl. Dennis Eade,” said Chief Bernadette DiPino. “He exemplifies many of the high qualities and standards that are expected of an Ocean City Police Officer.”

Cpl. Eade is originally from Upstate New York and attended New Mexico Military Institute, Tompkins Cortland Community College and the State University of New York College at Brockport. Cpl. Eade began his law enforcement career with the Ocean City Police Department as a seasonal police officer in 1997, 1998 and 1999. He was hired full time in 2000.

He is one of the only Ocean City officers who have been assigned to the every division in the department including Training, Vice/Narcotics and plain clothes assignments.

“I am honored and humbled to receive the Officer of the Year award,” said Cpl. Eade. “Every day I am motivated and inspired by my fellow officers of the Ocean City Police Department. I, along with my fellow nominees and the men and women of the Ocean City Police Department, will surely continue to dedicate ourselves 100 percent to the Town of Ocean City and to public safety.”

In addition to being named “2010 Officer of the Year” by the Knights of Columbus, Cpl. Eade also recently was named “2010 Neighborhood Watch Officer of the Year” by the Ocean City Neighborhood Watch Association. Cpl. Eade also has six departmental commendations for outstanding police performance, three unit citations, and a Chief’s commendation, for pulling a drowning victim from the dangerous Ocean City Inlet waters. He also earned awards from the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy for excellence in both academics and physical fitness, and was selected by his instructors to be his Academy Class Leader.

Cpl. Eade serves the department in a number of capacities. He is a Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission certified police instructor. He serves as a Police Academy Drill Instructor and is one of the department’s defensive tactics instructors. Cpl. Eade has instructed full-time and seasonal police officers in courtroom testimony, juvenile law, drug identification and advanced defensive tactics.

Cpl. Eade is a member of the department’s Quick Response Team (S.W.A.T.). He has been a regional champion and a national finalist in the LEOPARD Challenge law enforcement competition and was highlighted on “The Outdoor Network” for his success. He also serves as a community self defense instructor. Cpl. Eade has also instructed the Ocean City Citizens Police Academy.

Cpl. Eade is very active with Concerns of Police Survivors and has organized several charitable events for Special Olympics Maryland. Last Christmas, Cpl. Eade was one of 15 officers hand selected by Sheriff Mike Lewis as part of a search team that located the body of Sarah Foxwell. Cpl. Eade is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and spends his spare time participating in Ocean City recreational sports.