Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Awards Presented

(KNSI) – The Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation presented ten awards to those who keep people safe in Benton, Sherburne and Stearns County.

The awards are for first responders, community organizations, partners or people who’ve supported public safety in the St. Cloud area.

The Law Enforcement Team of the Year awards went to the St. Cloud Area Mental Health Co-Responder Team and the Stearns County Explorers Program. The Co-Responder Team is a partnership between the St. Cloud Police Department and the Central Minnesota Mental Health Clinic to help people suffering from mental health crises. The Explorers Program gives young people a chance to test out a career in law enforcement by getting first-hand training and experience with the sheriff’s office.

The Fire Department Team of the Year award went to the Melrose Fire Department. Sauk Centre Ambulance and Mayo Ambulance in St. Cloud each received the EMS Team of the Year award.

The Outstanding Contribution to Public Safety winners is Waite Park Police Officer Celeste Walz and St. Cloud Police Sergeant Ryan Sayre. Walz was recognized for her work as a member of the Central Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force. Sayre was recognized for his leadership with the St. Cloud Rotary Community Outpost in south St. Cloud.

The Outstanding Organization Contribution to Public Safety Awards went to Jacobs Financial and Vikingland Harley Davidson. Jacobs Financial was recognized for hosting the 2022 Swing Fore Charity golf event and donating the proceeds to the Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation. Vikingland Harley Davidson was recognized for its long-time support during the annual Public Safety Appreciation Day.

The awards were presented at the First Responder Appreciation Dinner hosted by the Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation at the Park Event Center in Waite Park on October 28th.

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