GREENFIELD — The Rotary Club of Greenfield has honored three Hancock County first-responders with an annual award.
The Walter Worland First Responders Award is named after a late Rotarian, community leader and philanthropist. The award honors Hancock County first responders who have distinguished themselves throughout the year, as determined by their department heads.
The Rotary Club announced this year’s awards went to recently retired Cumberland Police Chief Michael Crooke, Hancock County 911 Center supervisor Ashley Hamilton and Greenfield Fire Department Chaplain Steve Richwine.
Crooke was recognized for his half-century career with the Indianapolis and Cumberland police departments. He has received numerous Unit Citations, the Ruthann Popcheff Victim Rights Award for his sensitivity to victim’s families and a Medal of Merit for solving a 16-year-old murder investigation of a 15-year-old girl.
Hamilton, the day-shift supervisor at the Hancock County 911 Center, was recognized for her 25 years of service as a telecommunicator for Hancock County. In 2008, Hamilton was one of the sheriff’s dispatchers who was instrumental in the integration of the new 911 Dispatch Center. Hamilton is a certified 911 training operator with a host of certifications, which allows her to train and supervise other dispatchers.
Richwine has served as the chaplain for all the firefighters in the Greenfield Fire Territory. Richwine makes sure to visit the station houses every day to share an encouraging word or give a sympathetic ear to those in need of support, whether that be a firefighter or a victim of a fire.
