WESTPORT — Police Detective Marc Heinmiller has been named  “2020 Officer of the Year” by the Westport Police Department, credited by officials with cracking several complex cases with his “outstanding” investigatory skills over the last year.

Heinmiller and other local police officers were cited Monday at the department’s annual awards ceremony. 

The event took place at the Remarkable Theater’s Drive-In, where officers and their families were able to gather outdoors and celebrate their respective achievements.

 Chief Foti Koskinas congratulated the officers who received awards, adding that he is proud of the professionalism, dedication and commitment to the community shown by all of the department’s officers. He also thanked Sgt. Sereniti Dobson for planning the ceremony.

Other awards presented during the ceremony included unit citations, certificates of recognition, meritorious service awards, investigator ribbons and life-saving awards.  

Heinmiller’s “knowledge and dedication to his investigations has undoubtedly improved the safety and quality of life for all of Westport’s residents and visitors,” according to the Police Department statement announcing his award.

“Marc is an outstanding officer who is highly respected by his peers, and I feel very fortunate that he is a member of the Westport Police Department,” Koskinas said in the statement.

Police Department’s honors list

Certificate of Recognition

Detective Phillip Restieri, Detective James Baker III, Detective Erin Shaw, Cpl. Kevin Smith, Officer Taylor Field, Officer Edward Wooldridge, Officer Brian Meraviglia, Civilian Dispatcher Lynn Marshall, Civilian Dispatcher Don Rice and Carla Wilson (private citizen)

Community Service Award

Lt. Jillian Cabana, Cpl. Brendan Fearon and Andrew Berman (private citizen)

Investigator’s Ribbon

Lt. Eric Woods, Sgt. Jill Ruggiero, Det. Phillip Restieri, Det. Marc Heinmiller, Det. James Baker III, Det. Ashley DelVecchio and Officer Mark Grasso

Honorable Service Award

Det. Marc Heinmiller and Officer David Perez

Lifesaving Award

Cpl. Daniel Paz, Officer Thomas Casimiro and Officer Robert Cole

Meritorious Police Duty

Chief Foti Koskinas, Det. Phillip Restieri, Det. Marc Heinmiller and Officer Shane Pucci

Unit Citation

Lt. Eric Woods, Lt. David Wolf, Lt. Matthew Gouveia, Sgt. Richard Bagley, Desk Officer Casey Mezerewski, Staff Cpl. Michael Ruttenber, Cpl. Kevin Smith, Officer Edward Batlin, Officer Rachel Hall, Officer Mark Grasso, Officer David Scinto, Officer Shane Pucci, Officer Edward Wooldridge and Officer Scott Thompson