Officer Of The Year

2023 Police Officer of the Year, Officer Ronald McKenzie

McKenzie

Setting The Example

Officer McKenzie is dedicated to the community, is professional in his demeanor, and has a positive attitude making him a valuable asset to the agency. 

Throughout his career, Officer McKenzie has demonstrated compassion and care for others through his community outreach efforts. He has organized and participated in events such as visiting assisted living facilities and interacting with children in the community. In addition to his duties as a police mounted officer, Officer McKenzie has willingly taken on additional tasks and responsibilities, always approaching them with a can-do attitude. He consistently exemplifies the agency's core values and provides excellent customer service. 

After graduating from the police academy in 1984, he became a full-time officer. During his time with the department, Officer McKenzie has held various roles, including intox operator, THI, FTO, and general instructor. He has also served as a radar/laser instructor and parking enforcement instructor and has taught these subjects at the police department and the police academy. In addition to his role as an instructor, Officer McKenzie has also served as a detective and has been in and out of the traffic unit for more than 25 years. Officer McKenzie has received several awards for his DUI enforcement work, including PPPD and MADD recognition. He has also been nominated for police officer of the year several times. 

Officer McKenzie is a cowboy actor, performing gunfight shows as an outlaw and later as a marshal, locally and nationally. He has also been a mounted officer and riding instructor. 

As of 2023, Officer McKenzie has been on the job for 39 years.

We celebrate Officer Ron McKenzie as the City of Pinellas Park Police Department’s 2023 Officer of the Year.

Past Officer of the Year Award Recipients:


  • 2022 Officer Jeremy Copeland
  • 2021 Detective JH
  • 2020 Sergeant Bridget Hurt
  • 2019 Sergeant Steven Hassett
  • 2018 Officer Per Haugland
  • 2017 Sergeant John Shea
  • 2016 Lieutenant Roxanne Pohl
  • 2015 Officer Jimmy Rexroad (retired)
  • 2014 Sergeant Scott Galley
  • 2013 Detective Dave Plageman (Retired)
  • 2012 Captain Adam Geissenberger
  • 2011 Officer Steve Vangeli (Retired)
  • 2010 Detective Michael Piacenza
  • 2009 Detective E. J. Stevens (Retired)
  • 2008 Sergeant Dean LoBianco
  • 2007 Sergeant Michael Lynch (Retired)
  • 2006 Detective Michael Bingnear
  • 2005 Lieutenant Paul Andrews (retired)
  • 2004 Captain Brian Unmisig
  • 2003 Corporal Vernard "Rick" Wagner (retired)
  • 2002 Officer James Bupp (retired)
  • 2001 Detective Brian Cook
  • 2000 Officer Craig Heneveld (retired)
  • 1999 Officer John McNeil (retired)
  • 1998 Officer Robert A. Cook (retired)
  • 1997 Sergeant Tracey Schofield (retired)
  • 1996 Officer James P. Young (retired)
  • 1995 Chief Michael Haworth
  • 1994 Captain Michael Darroch (retired)
  • 1993 Detective Kathleen Nover (retired)
  • 1992 Detective Corporal Kenneth Blessing (retired)
  • 1991 Master Police Officer James Trehy (retired)
  • 1990 Officer Robert Miller (retired)
  • 1989 Officer Nicholas Delgrosso (retired)
  • 1988 Chief Dorene Thomas (Retired)
  • 1987 Officer Winifred Ray Collins (retired)
  • 1986 Sergeant Orville Hall (retired)
  • 1985 Senior Police Officer Robert W. Cook (retired)
  • 1984 Officer Daniel Hansen (retired)
  • 1983 Officer Charles Prichard (retired)
  • 1982 Captain John Green (retired)
  • 1981 Captain Erik Sandvik (retired)
  • 1980 Officer Frederick Jenkins (retired)
  • 1979 Officer Frederick Jenkins (retired)
  • 1978 Officer Richard Smith (retired)