MADISON – American Legion, Post 229 in Madison annually recognizes first responders from both Madison Police Department and Madison Fire and Rescue Department for selfless dedication to their duties.

For 2018, Police Officer Jeremy McKinney was named City of Madison Officer of the Year. Post 229 Commander Larry Vannoy presented the award to McKinney during Madison City Council’s Dec. 10 meeting.

“Jeremy McKinney began his law enforcement career as a campus police officer with the University of Alabama in Huntsville in January 2011,” Madison Police Chief David K. Jernigan said. “Jeremy graduated from Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training curriculum in April 2011 to become a certified police officer.”

A graduate of Tanner High School, McKinney continues to live in Limestone County.

McKinney joined Madison’s police force in September 2016. Currently, he is assigned to third-shift, uniform-patrol operations.

In removing impaired drivers from roadways, McKinney made 20 arrests for Driving Under the Influence or DUI and 14 drug-related arrests in 2017.

“He has been instrumental in implementing effective and positive community policing, based on his efforts to establish a personal relationship with employees and managers in his patrol zone,” Jernigan said. “In October 2017, Officer McKinney, along with another third-shift officer, while patrolling on foot, located and identified a burglary suspect who later admitted to committing several burglaries to churches and a high school in Madison.”

In January 2018, McKinney received Madison Police Department’s Community Policing Award for his work in conducting security assessments for a local church that burglars and vandals had targeted. He has completed training for Crime Prevention through Environmental Design or CPTED concepts, allowing him to counsel residents and business owners on best practices for security measures to avoid becoming a crime victim.

“Officer McKinney has displayed true leadership and has proactively embraced the Community Policing initiative. He continues to identify problems, recommends a course of action and then chooses an action plan to resolve the issue,” Jernigan said.

“He leads the way and sets the example by showing each day a dedicated and professional officer can make a difference in the lives of Madison residents by striving for and attaining excellence,” Jernigan said.