Sgt. Chris McClaran and Officer Brandon Curry received awards during the annual Minden Police Department Christmas party Thursday. McClaran received the Officer of the Year Award and Curry received the Chief’s Choice Award. Not pictured is Sgt. Joel Kendrick, who received the Supervisor of the Year Award. Michelle Bates/Press-Herald
Three police officers were honored for their service and dedication to the Minden Police Department.
During their annual Christmas party Thursday, Minden Police Chief Steve Cropper recognized Sgt. Chris McClaran, Sgt. Joel Kendrick and Officer Brandon Curry. McClaran received the Officer of the Year award, Kendrick received the Supervisor of the Year award and Curry was recognized as the Chief’s Choice. They all received plaques.
“I have two supervisors who have really stepped up to the plate,” Cropper said. “Sgt. Joel Kendrick and Sgt. Chris McClaran are both relatively new supervisors. Joel’s supervisor has been fighting some health issues, and so Joel’s been a really big help on that shift. I debated on who to give it to, but I gave it to Joel because of the responsibility that’s been placed on his shoulders.”
He says he chose Curry for the Chief’s Choice award because of his dedication to the police department.
“Every time we have overtime, he’s here,” he said. “He’ll stay and cover shifts when we need help. He’s just ‘Johnny on the spot’ every time you need some help.”
McClaran has also stepped up to the plate, Cropper said.
“Both Joel and Chris have really taken the responsibility of being a supervisor seriously,” he said. “They do their jobs and if they have an issue, they don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call if they have a question. They just do a really good job. All the guys respect them, and all the guys seem to work with them really well. And Brandon is just jam up. He comes to work and does his job. He talks to people well and he’s fair.”
McClaran, patrol supervisor, says he was honored by the recognition.
“I’m very appreciative of the award,” he said. “For me, it reflects upon the men I work with. The work they do day in and day out, they do selflessly, tirelessly, and this reward is just a reflection of their efforts.”
Curry says in a day and age where police officers are so often criticized, he felt honored to be recognized for the good work he and his fellow officers do.
“With this job in general, it’s a difficult job altogether,” he said. “You do good things and sometimes you get criticized for it. It’s always good to know you may not get praised for it at the time, but the individuals you work with are always looking at your actions and what you do. Like the award I did receive, we’re able achieve goals like this because of the simple things you do.”
Cropper praised Kendrick for his dedication. He says all three take their jobs seriously and are good officers. Kendrick thanked the department and the officers he works with.
“I would like to thank the department for the honor of being awarded supervisor of the year,” Kendrick said. “I would also like to thank the officers that work with my on my shift. It’s easy to be a good supervisor when you have a bunch of good guys working for you.”
Cropper gives these awards as a way to show his appreciation for their part in keeping the community of Minden safe.
“It’s my way of showing them how much I appreciate what they do,” he said.
McClaran has been with the police department for seven years while Curry has been with the department for two years. McClaran is a native of Minden and Curry is from Haughton.
Kendrick is a native of Claiborne Parish and has been with the Minden Police Department for seven years.
2 comments
Sgt McClaran ticketed my son about a year ago (becuase he deserved it), but he talked to him about why what he was doing was dangerous and what could happen. At 16, boys hear these things from their parents, but they don’t listen, he HEARD Sgt McClaran! I appreciate the time he took to really talk to my son. It shows just how much he CARES! Thanks, Sgt!
Awesome job Brandon Curry!!!!!
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