York County Sheriff Awards

Deputy of the Year Award: L-R, Chief Deputy Jeremy Forbes, Sheriff William King, Deputy Sergeant Kyle Kassa and Major Nathan Thayer 
Photos: Lisa Blanchette

York County Sheriff, William L. King, Jr., Presides over 2024 Recognition and Awards Ceremony 

By Lisa Blanchette 

The lobby of the York County Sheriff’s Department was filled with staff, family, friends and community leaders on Friday, February 9 for the 2024 Sheriff’s Department Recognition and Awards Ceremony. Sheriff William L. King, Jr., said of the event, “This is an opportunity to highlight and recognize the outstanding work and longevity of our staff.” 

The ceremony began with a moment of silence to honor the passing of Patrick Pierce who died on February 8, 2024. He had worked for the York County Sheriff’s Office as a corrections officer for four years before recently going on to a new position in security at a local hospital. 

One ongoing theme of the awards was the dedication of officers and staffers who were going about their everyday duties. When the moment came to “step-up,” they did exactly that. They saved lives, made a difference and did the department and the community proud. 

York County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Alex Markellos and Kittery Police Officer Ryan Sanford of the York County Regional Special Response Team, received Meritorious Service Awards for their response to a 2023 situation in a Saco hotel room where it was reported there were hostages inside, including a child. 

Also earning a Meritorious Service Award was Corrections Officer Sarah Jaynes for her role in successfully resolving a situation in a jail pod, when one resident used a handcrafted weapon on another. Janes is credited with stopping an assault on another inmate. 

Lifesavings awards were presented, commendations were awarded, and the Mathew Baker Award, named in honor of the late chief deputy, was bestowed.

Life Saving Award: L-R, Chief Deputy Jeremy Forbes, Sheriff William King, Officer Gabriella Carpenter, Officer Faith Blanchette, Corporal Donovan Cram
and Major Nathan Thayer 

“I look forward to these events every year because it allows us pause to recognize the outstanding work being done on a daily basis,” said King. 

Awards and Commendations were given to: 

Corrections Officer of the Year – Officer Keith Merrifield 

Reserve Corrections Officer of the Year – Officer Natalia Morneau 

Deputy of the Year – Sergeant Kyle Kassa 

Baker Awards – Officer Jason Gaudette, Deputy Corey Sweatt 

Meritorious Awards – Officer Sarah Jaynes, Deputy Alex Markellos 

Life Saving Awards – Sergeant Kurt Martin, Corporal Donovan Cram, Officer Gabriella Carpenter, Officer Faith Blanchette, Sergeant Jason Drouin, Officer Ken Hamilton, Keith Seymour, Deputy Travis Jones 

Commendations -  Civilian Marion Bedard, Officer James Foote, Officer Kara Jones, Officer Melissa Higgins, Officer John Simmonds, Sergeant Colton Sweeney, Officer Matthew Sanborn, Officer Gerry Therrian, Officer Tyler Stone, Deputy Stephen Broy, Deputy Troy Chenard, Deputy Stephen Gould, Deputy Cody Frazier, Sergeant Mathieu Nadeau, Administrative Clerk Stacy Thistlewood, Civilian Randy Smalley, Civil – Supervisor Brad Paul

Corrections Officer of the Year Award: L-R, Chief Deputy Jeremy Forbes, Sheriff William King, Officer Keith Merrifield, Major Nathan Thayer 

Years of Service Recognition: Gerald Therrian-35, Carl Ronco-30, Michael Leary-25, Stacy Thistlewood-20, William Elliot-20, Jason Gaudette-20, Eric Daigneault-20, Richard Lane-20, Michael Perry-20, Kelly Burnham 20, Colton Sweeney-20, Lori Marks-15, Robert Carr-15, Jason Drouin-15, Dennis Chagnon-5, Martin Harmon-5, Roger Nagy-5, Brad Paul-5, and Matthew Fitzgerald-5. 

“An agency’s staff is its most valuable resource.”  Sheriff William L. King, Jr.