Rehoboth Beach honors its finest

Mar 23, 2022

The Rehoboth Beach Police Department recognized years of service and presented awards for outstanding service among its officers, dispatchers, and civilian employees at its annual awards banquet March 18. Cpl. Josh Kosiorowski was named the 2021 Rehoboth Beach Officer of the

Officer of the Year Cpl Josh Kosiorowski with Chief Keith Banks

Year and Records Clerk Sonya Hewes was named Civilian of the Year.

Kosiorowski is coordinator of Rehoboth Beach’s bicycle patrol unit, training and mentoring seasonal bike officers each summer. He joined the department in 2014, after serving himself as a seasonal officer over several summers.

Kosiorowski’s work ethic is evident in the quantity and quality of his work, says Lt. Jaime Riddle. “What really stood out this year is the step forward Cpl. Kosiorowski took in leadership and mentoring capacity…. He invests time in development of all of the seasonal officers he works with as he often comments how important that experience was to him.”

Civilian of the Year Sonya Hewes with Chief Keith Banks

Hewes, who came to the police department in February 2021, was recognized not just because “she does her job extremely well,” says Riddle, but particularly for the spirit and enthusiasm with which she does it.

“It could be said that the past two years have resulted in more change to the policing profession than any other time in the last few decades,” Chief Keith Banks noted to the honorees and guests. “The pandemic has forced us to reexamine our previously established practices as we adapted to a dynamic and unchartered climate…. High-profile incidents have also had a profound impact on our profession. Calls for reform have altered how we carry out our day-to-day operations and cope with funding and recruitment challenges.”

Considering the challenging professional climate, Banks said that community trust and transparency are more important than ever, and he expressed deep appreciation for his staff’s service.

Other awards presented at the March 18 ceremony included:

Lifesaving Award – in recognition of an officer’s extraordinary actions or first aid efforts that resulted in saving a life

  • Thomas Barrrett
  • Josh Kosiorowski
  • William Leek
  • Joseph Mulhern
  • Michael Rummel
  • Dana Wyant

Exceptional Performance Award – in recognition of officers whose performance significantly exceeds expectations

  • Josh Kosiorowski
  • William Leek
  • Micheline Senzamici
  • Robert Scisco

Firearms Award – presented to officers who demonstrate outstanding dedication to marksmanship demonstrated by above average scores in three or more consecutive firearms qualifications

  • Robert Scisco

DUI Enforcement Award

  • Dana Wyant

Most Complaints Investigated

  • Joseph Mulhern

Exceptional Criminal Enforcement

  • Nicolas Aungst

Exceptional Traffic Enforcement

  • Dana Wyant

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