2023 Officer Of The Year Announced By Stamford Police Association

STAMFORD, CT — The Stamford Police Association (SPA) on Tuesday announced the recipient of the 2023 Troy McNamara Memorial Police Officer of the Year Award.

The SPA and its Officer of the Year Voting Committee selected Brian Donahue, a 10-year veteran of the department, following a recent vote. The annual award is given to the officer or officers who exemplified "the total police officer" in their dedication and service to the citizens of Stamford in a given year.

Donahue joined the SPD's Special Victims Unit as an investigator in 2019.

"During his time as an investigator, he has shown a natural ability to investigate cases involving social media, internet crimes, and child exploitation," the SPA said in its announcement. "Officer Donahue has consistently worked with federal agencies focused on dark web internet crimes and exploitation of children. Officer Donahue used this experience, and subsequent law enforcement connections, as a springboard to establish Stamford Police's first Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC) within the department."

During his 2023 ICAC investigations, Donahue "closed some of the most technically advanced and emotionally difficult cases," the SPA said, noting that Donahue processes, analyzes, and corroborates millions of images involving child exploitation.

"In closing these cases, Officer Donahue has provided justice for juvenile victims and their families by arresting hands-on offenders, simultaneously protecting future children by removing some of the most dangerous sexual predators from the street," the SPA said.

In some instances, Donahue's investigations required savvy undercover work that resulted in the captures and arrests of pedophiles attempting to contact and lure young people on dark web internet sites, the SPA said.

"Officer Donahue's efforts, personal sacrifice, and dedication to these most sensitive investigations in 2023 illustrate what it means to be honored with this distinguished award," the SPA said. "The Stamford Police Association, along with its Officer of the Year Voting Committee, are proud to recognize Officer Brian Donahue as 2023 Stamford Police Officer of the Year."

Donahue will be formally honored by the SPA on May 16.