By Chronicle Staff
The Detroit Public Safety Foundation (DPSF) is hosting the 2019 Above & Beyond Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at MGM Grand Detroit from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The awards ceremony recognizes Detroit Police Officers, Firefighters and EMS personnel for going “Above & Beyond” the call of duty. Community partners will also be recognized for their exemplary services in the City of Detroit.
Police Chief James E. Craig and Fire Commissioner Eric Jones will present the awards to first- responders. Alonzo Bodden, comedian and winner of the third season of Last Comic Standing, will host. PVS Chemicals is the Presenting sponsor and Diversified Members Credit Union, Marathon Petroleum Co, Rock Security and Verizon are the event’s Commanding Sponsors.
A total of 60 honorees are being recognized for their distinguished service as a Detroit first-responder. The Medal of Valor is an award recognizing the best of the best for extreme bravery in the face of danger. The Purple Heart, representing the danger associated with the job, honors those severely injured or killed in the line-of-duty. The Emergency Medical Merit Award is for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) division to honor two members for exceptional service.
“Above & Beyond allows us to honor Detroit’s first-responders and highlight their exceptional service to the City of Detroit,” said Patti Kukula, Executive Director of the Detroit Public Safety Foundation. “It is a joy for us to recognize their service and show them that the community supports them. This night matters for the first-responders and we are proud to host it each year.”
In addition to the first-responder awards, two civilian honors are presented:
- City Change Maker: Gary Torgow, Executive Chairman of TCF Financial Corporation is this year’s City Change Maker. The City Change Maker is someone who embodies the ideals of Detroit and is committed to making the city a better place for all residents. Mr. Torgow has supported the Detroit Police Department in various ways, particularly related to the physical and mental wellness of the officers, supporting the Detroit Police Department’s Peer Support Team.
- Public Safety Partner: The Detroit Lions are receiving the Public Safety Partner Award. In 2019, the Detroit Lions provided a $100,000 grant to the DPSF for the Brotherhood and Sisterhood Programs. This grant is part of the “Detroit Lions Inspire Change” social justiceinitiative. Part of this funding was used for scholarship grant funding for six students involved in the Brotherhood and Sisterhood programs.
The award ceremony is attended by first-responders, their families, business and community leaders and local, state and federal elected officials.
Limited tickets are available at: www.detroitpublicsafety.org.