Rochester Police sergeant wins coveted service award

Sgt. Tom Powers with members of his family at Wednesday's presentation of the award. (Courtesy photo/Rochester Police Facebook page)

ROCHESTER - Rochester Police Sgt. Thomas Powers was selected as the recipient of the Chief Theodore W. Blair, Jr. memorial award for 2017.

Blair was a career police officer, who loved the city of Rochester and helping people, noted the announcement on the Rochester Police Facebook page.

This award recognizes compassion, commitment, duty and dedication to your fellow man, a consistent display of respect for others, honesty, and integrity in all that an officer does. These were all traits exhibited by Blair, who left his distinct mark on the department and the community.

Powers has been with the department for just over four years and is recognized as a proactive officer. His quality of work, skills and knowledge helped him when he was selected to fill the temporary sergeant's position, which was created during a military deployment of another sergeant.

"Tom is a team player. He is vigilant in his duties and shows commitment to going above and beyond, always keeping the goals of the department in mind," the post read.

Powers now keeps busy at the department as a field training officer, PT instructor, pepper ball instructor, child passenger safety seat technician and a Law Enforcement Against Drugs instructor.

He has also been recognized numerous times from within the department and from citizens for professionalism and dedication to the job.