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COJ.net > News > Sheriff Honors JSO's 2025 Employees of the Year and Citizen of the Year
JSO News
Sheriff Honors JSO's 2025 Employees of the Year and Citizen of the Year
February 23, 2026
Sheriff T.K. Waters hosted the Annual Meritorious Awards Ceremony on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at JSO's downtown headquarters. This annual event honors the agency's employee of the year honorees in their respective category.

The Merit Board, which is comprised of the agency's Division Chiefs, selects the honorees based on their previous recognition throughout the previous year, as well as their continued contributions since they were first recognized.

Also, at the event, the Sheriff recognized Mr. Mark Adamec as his selection for the 2025 "Citizen of the Year" award.

Those JSO employees recognized at the ceremony are:





 
"Police Officer of the Year" - Police Officer Anthony Yannuzzi and Police Service Dog "Patriot"
Patrol Support Division / Canine Unit
 
This dynamic duo earned the title of JSO's 2025 "Police Officer of the Year" for finding more than 20 missing and endangered people in our community.

To watch this team in action, please visit JSO's YouTube Channel.

 
"Corrections Officer of the Year" - Corrections Officer Obbie Johnson
Prisons Division / Community Transition Center
 
Officer Johnson received this honor for his actions back in May 2025. On May 1st, an inmate alerted Officer Johnson that a woman had jumped off a bridge into a pond. Officer Johnson did not hestitate to jump into the pond and pull the woman out, saving her life. To learn more about this rescue, please visit JSO's YouTube Channel.

In addition to being named JSO's 2025 "Corrections Officer of the Year," Johnson was also recognized as the Florida Sheriffs Association's "Corrections Officer of the Year" last month.


"Civilian Employee of the Year" - Talent Acquisition Administrator Hunter Ridenour
Human Resources Division / Recruitment & Selection Unit
 
Ridenour, known as the agency's "secret weapon of law enforcement hiring" is a friendly face for applicants through the agency's multi-step hiring process.

To learn more about career opportunities available at the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, please visit JoinJSO.com.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity / Equal Access Employer.
 

"Auxiliary Officer of the Year" - Police Auxiliary Office Allison Moeller
Patrol Support Division / Police Auxiliary Unit
 
Moeller was recognized for dedicating her time to support officers who work in JSO's Patrol, Patrol Support and Professional Standards Divisions. She does all this as an upaid volunteer.

To learn more about Officer Moeller's role in the Auxiliary program, please visit JSO's Facebook page.
 
For more information about becoming an Auxiliary Officer, please visit JoinJSO.com. 
 

"Police Supervisor of the Year" - Police Sergeant Guy Daniels
Homeland Security Division / Vice Unit
 
Leading the agency's Vice Unit, Sergent Guy Daniels played a key leadership role in Operation Fish & Chips, an operation that took down an illegal gambling ring in December 2024.

To learn more about this operation, please visit JSO's YouTube Channel.


"Corrections Supervisor of the Year" - Corrections Lieutenant Kristofer Pike
Jails Division / PDF Support Section
 
Corrections Lieutenant Pike earned the honor of being named JSO's "Corrections Supervisor of the Year" after he was tasked with the creation and leadership of the Strategic Response Team and the Detention Canine Unit within the Department of Corrections.
 

"Citizen of the Year" - Mr. Mark Adamec
The Adamec Group
 
Mark Adamec is Sheriff Waters' selection for the agency's "Citizen of the Year" award for 2025. The Adamec Family has been a support of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office since the 1960s (before Jacksonville and Duval County consolidated). This organization frequently supports local charity motorcycle rides to benefit first repsonders, military personnel, and veterans.  

Rounding out the annual event, the Sheriff also recognized the 2025 "Detective of the Year." This individual works in an undercover capacity, so their name and photograph will not be shared.


Top Left: Officer Johnson; Top Right: Officer Yannuzzi & PSD Patriot; Middle Row Left: Lt. Pike; Bottom Row - 1: Sgt. Daniels; Bottom Row - 2: H. Ridenour; Bottom Row - 3: Aux. Officer Moeller

Photo Collage Caption:  Top Left: Sheriff Waters (left) and Corrections Officer Obbie Johnson (right); Top Right: Sheriff Waters (left), Police Officer Anthony Yannuzzi (right), and Police Service Dog "Patriot" (front); Middle Row Left: Sheriff Waters (left) and Corrections Lieutenant Kristofer Pike (right); Bottom Row - Picture 1: Sheriff Waters (left) and Police Sergeant Guy Daniels (right); Bottom Row - Picture 2: Sheriff Waters (left) and Hunter Ridenour (right); Bottom Row - Picture 3: Sheriff Waters (left) and Police Auxiliary Officer Allison Moeller
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