Three City employees honored for service
(January 3, 2008) - An Oklahoma City police officer, horticulturist and firefighter were honored today with a resolution naming them the 2007 South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club Employees of the Year.
Police Sergeant James Martin was named Police Officer of the Year, Myriad Botanical Gardens Horticulturist Jim Woolly was named Oklahoma City Employee of the Year and Major Michael Walker was named Firefighter of the Year during the first City Council meeting of 2008.
Although their backgrounds differ, the three were selected based on their dedication and professionalism to serving Oklahoma City’s citizens.
“The three people we honored today are truly representative of City employees,” Ward 8 Councilman Pat Ryan said. “They do an outstanding and quite often a thankless job day in and day out.”
Police Officer of the Year
Police Sergeant James Martin has been a City employee for 14 years and is currently a motorcycle officer in the Uniform Support Division.
In August, Martin faced an armed drug suspect who fired more than a dozen shots at him as he tried to stop the suspect for speeding during a routine traffic stop. After dismounting from his motorcycle and taking cover, Martin returned fire, forcing the driver to flee on foot. He was then able to take the passenger into custody and radio for backup.
Martin’s bravery helped capture and arrest the shooter and passenger, who are now awaiting trail on numerous felony charges, without injury to any citizens.
Oklahoma City Employee of the Year
Parks and Recreation Department Horticulturist Jim Woolly has been employed by the City for 16 years.
Woolly provides daily care to plants and trees throughout 17 acres of outdoor grounds and specialty gardens for the City’s Myriad Botanical Gardens.
During last year’s annual Festival of the Arts, Woolly became a hero to an Illinois jewelry artist when he found a bag full of earrings and pins she had reported stolen from her exhibit tent.
Without hesitation Woolly returned the items, valued over $3,000, to the artist, as she was packing to return to her home state.
Oklahoma City Firefighter of the Year
Major Michael Walker has been a City employee for 17 years. He currently serves as a firefighter in the Suppressions Division of the Fire Department.
Walker has spent most of his career with the Fire Department as an instructor, passing on his professionalism, knowledge and dedication to his fellow firefighters.
In addition to his routine duties, Walker is spearheading the implementation of a new high-rise policy for the department.
Walker is a certified Hazardous Materials Technician, a certified diver, an Urban Search and Rescue Specialist and also serves on numerous departmental committees.
“City employees work hard to provide the kind of service the citizens of Oklahoma City deserve,” Ryan said. “I want to thank all City employees for being committed and dedicated public servants.”
The South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club sponsors The City of Oklahoma City’s Employee of the Year and Employee of the Month programs.
