Husband, wife among honorees during annual Police Commission awards ceremony

From left, Communications Specialist Madeline Brinkman, her husband, Patrolman Michael Brinkman and Officer of the Year Kyle Danie. (Courtesy photos/Rochester Police)

ROCHESTER - Two of the Rochester Police Department's most coveted annual honors were awarded on Wednesday to the husband and wife team of Patrolman Michael Brinkman and Communications Specialist Madeline Brinkman.

Michael Brinkman took home the department's most prestigious plaque, the Chief Theodore W. Blair Jr. Memorial Award. The award is named for beloved former chief Theodore W. Blair Jr., who died of brain cancer just months after he was named chief in 1996.

Officer Joe Oswalt receives the Lifesaving Award from Rochester Police Chief Paul Toussaint.

Blair, who was just 49 at the time of his death and had spent 23 years working for the department, was known for his compassion, commitment, dedication and patience, virtues emblematic of the award, Rochester Police Capt. Jason Thomas said today.

Also recognized at the ceremony was Officer Joe Oswalt who was honored for his lifesaving effort in December when he was first on scene where a woman was experiencing a medical emergency. He performed CPR and regained a pulse at which time paramedics arrived and took over the lifesaving measures.

Meanwhile, Police Officer of the Year, given to a police officer to honor the employee who has consistently given superior effort in the performance of his/her duties, went to Community Engagement Officer Kyle Danie.

The ceremony was held during a regularly scheduled meeting of the Police Commission.