The service of a longtime employee of the South Haven police department and South Haven Area Emergency Services was recognized during the annual dinner of SHAE on Saturday, May 7. Vickii Nichols recently retired after serving 17 years as a clerk-typist and overnight shift office assistant for the two departments. She is pictured receiving a proclamation recognizing her service from Mayor Robert Burr.

Cesar Garcia, a paid-on-call firefighter for South Haven Area Emergency Services, was presented the department's 2016 Leadership Award. Garcia has been a member of the department for 10 years. “This year's leadership award goes to an individual who has demonstrated the qualities of a leader without holding any rank within the department,” noted Chief Ron Wise. “Cesar has led by example, he is always willing to participate, taking classes on his own time. He has shown everyone that training is important no matter how much time you have on the department.” Wise lauded Garcia's true passion to serve his community. “He is a very humble public servant who does not need validation to know that what he is doing is important.”

The promotion of two members of SHAES, Tim Quinn (left) and Brian Horan (center), to paid-on-call Lieutenants was recognized during the department's annual banquet. They are pictured with Chief Ron Wise. Lt. Horan joined the department in 1980 while Quinn has been a member since 1994.