A Hazelwood Police officer has the distinction of being one of 26 police officers to from the metropolitan area who received the John J. McAtee Police Recognition Award.
Officer Jason Perkins received the award for "his compassion, concern and understanding when responding to a person in psychiatric crisis," according to a City of Hazelwood press release.
The officers were honored at the 25th Annual John J. McAtee Police Recognition Luncheon held recently at the Holiday Inn Southwest on Watson Road. The awarded officers include those from law enforcement agencies including Creve Coeur, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Hazelwood, O’Fallon, Shrewsbury, St. Charles, St. Louis County, City of St. Louis, City of St. Louis Sheriff’s Office and Warrenton.
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The award and recognition program is named for the late John J. McAtee, an Attorney and Judge whose practice and community service exemplified his understanding of people with mental illness. He was the driving force behind efforts made by the Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri (MHA) to create law enforcement training to help officers recognize, understand, and interact with
persons who have a mental illness, according to the release.
McAtee also spearheaded the formation of MHA’s annual Police Recognition Awards. The event, now in its 25th year, honors officers whose compassion and dedication make a significant difference
in the life of persons with mental illness who come to the attention of law enforcement.
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Since its inception, more than 500 officers have been recognized.