Optimist Club to Honor St. Clair Shores Police Officers

The St. Clair Shores Optimist Club will honor members of the St. Clair Shores Police Department June 5 during the first hold the first Call to Courage Police Appreciation and Awards Breakfast at .

Members of the club met with police officials to plan the breakfast and recognition for officers.  officers for Meritorious Service Awards, Life Saving Awards and Letters of Commendation. Additionally, the club will also present certificates of appreciation to the three school police liaison officers.

“The Optimist Club is proud to show our appreciation to these men and women who place their lives on the line each and every day they report to work,” said club president Debbie DePape, in a release.  

Following the breakfast, officers will be honored for Meritorious Service Awards, Life Saving Awards and Letters of Commendation. Additionally, the club will also present certificates of appreciation to the three school police liaison officers. 

Guest speaker will be WDIV Local 4 Defenders Investigative Reporter Marc Santia.

DePape is bringing the popular Respect for Law program to St. Clair Shores for the first time with club member David Martin. The program began nationally in 1965 following a discussion between Past International President Carl Bowen and former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. More than 1,500 clubs currently participate in the program.

“The Optimist Club is a highly respected charitable organization that does wonderful things for local children and the City of St. Clair Shores,” said Police Chief Michael Walleman. “It is one thing to be recognized by your department for your efforts, but to have an organization such as the Optimist Club step forward to honor you is truly special and much appreciated.”

Annually the Optimist Club honors those who are “Bringing Out the Best in Kids." DePape stated that is "what our police department does annually with their Cops for Kids program."

Other projects that the club has teamed up with the police department include the Rapid Search Child ID Project.  The club has worked with Community Officer Cherie Mascarello and together they have processed over 500 children throughout the city at area events including visits to schools and the Kiwanis Child Fest which is held annually in September.