2013 Media Police Officer Of the Year Awarded

Nearly a dozen men and women clad in blue attended the Media Borough Council meeting last Thursday. After a year hiatus, the Media Police Department proudly announced their 2013 pick for the 2013 Tom Flynn Memorial Award at the meeting.

Officer Eric Gavin, of B Platoon in the Media Police Department, was voted by his peers on the force as this year's recipient.

Gavin thanked his fellow officers for their votes and for the entire department for their support. Gavin said it was an honor to be awarded with the Tom Flynn award, noting Flynn's community involvement with the sports leagues in town and his commitment to serve the borough.

According to Police Chief Martin Wusinich, Flynn had been presenting the Media Police Officer of the Year award since 1994 but died in February of 2011. 

"I've known him since I started here 34 years ago," said Wusinich about Flynn. "Tom [Flynn] was an individual, firm believer in God, country, and family. Unfortunately, we lost him two years ago this month."

Wusinich said the department decided to take a year hiatus of the award in respect of Flynn. This year, the department has renamed the award as the Tom Flynn Memorial Award in honor of Flynn.

Flynn's wife Lois and other family members were also present at the ceremony in honor of Flynn. In addition, Bob Valenti and Bill Giuseppe, of the Nativity-BVM Knights of Columbus Nativity, helped present the award to Gavin.

Gavin's wife Deborah and three children were also present at the award ceremony. 

Check out Gavin's First Responder profile here.