On Tuesday, January 22, 2019 Jackson Mayor, Pete Muldoon, presented the Medal of Merit to Officer Phillip Smith. The Medal of Merit is one of the highest commendations bestowed upon a Jackson Police Officer by the Chief of Police and is awarded when an act of outstanding performance or service requiring extreme tenacity of purpose and devotion to duty occurs.
“In the history of the Jackson Police Department this is only about the tenth time that we’ve awarded this medal someone,” said Police Chief Todd Smith. “Phil lost his home this year in the Roosevelt Fire and he has endured much personal strife, but he came to work everyday and got the work done and is very deserving of this award.”
Officer Phillips is a graduate of Ohio University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in History. He took the Oath of Office with the Jackson Police Department on July 31, 2014. Since that time, Officer Phillips has earned the recognition of “Jackson Police Employee of the Quarter” and was awarded the title “Police Employee of the Year in 2018” by his peers.
The Town of Jackson would like to acknowledge and commend Officer Phillip Smith for his significant contributions in keeping our community safe and for being awarded the Jackson Police Department Medal of Merit.
Mayor Pete Muldoon read the following proclamation:
PROCLAMATION and MEDAL OF MERIT
COMMENDATION
OFFICER PHILLIP SMITH
WHEREAS, Phillip Smith took the Oath of Office on July 31, 2014 to not only support, obey and defend the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Wyoming and discharge the duties of his office as Police Officer but to also uphold the values of our community and the mission of the Jackson Police Department; and
WHEREAS, the Law Enforcement Oath of Honor states that “On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the constitution, my community, and the agency I serve;” and
WHEREAS, in January 2017, Jackson Police Officers responded to a medical assist call, which resulted in a heroin overdose and death and while on the scene, Officer Smith recognized persons that were known to be involved in the use and distribution of controlled substances; and
WHEREAS, as a result of that incident, Officer Smith spearheaded an extensive investigation taking over ten months and gathered sufficient evidence to identify a suspect who had delivered the controlled substance to the deceased which resulted in the Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigations issuing a warrant for negligent homicide and the suspect being arrested; and
WHEREAS, Officer Smith held true to his Oath of Honor and his Oath of Office to the Town of Jackson to hold others accountable for their actions and thus removed a suspected narcotic dealer from our community; and
WHEREAS, this is not the first time Officer Smith has been recognized by his peers and supervisors for his values, as previous commendations include being Police Employee of the Quarter and Employee of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Officer Smith continues to present a resolve and devotion to his duties as a Jackson Police Officer including taking lead roles in major investigations encompassing our town, county, and neighboring states; and
WHEREAS, the Medal of Merit is one of the highest commendations bestowed upon a Jackson Police Officer by the Chief of Police and is awarded when an act of outstanding performance or service requiring extreme tenacity of purpose and devotion to duty occurs; and
WHEREAS, Chief Todd Smith has chosen to recognize Officer Phillip Smith by presenting him with the Jackson Police Department Medal of Merit, thereby presenting Officer Smith to others in the Department, the Town of Jackson organization, and the Jackson community as an exceptional example of law enforcement servant leadership and dedication to protection of the health, safety, and welfare and quality of life for all of the residents and guests of our community.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Pete Muldoon, Mayor of the Town of Jackson, on behalf of the Jackson Town Council, the Jackson Police Department, the Town of Jackson organization, and the entire community do hereby acknowledge and commend Officer Phillip Smith for his significant contributions in keeping our community safe and for being awarded the Jackson Police Department Medal of Merit.
DATED THIS 22ND Day of January, 2019.
Town of Jackson, Wyoming