In special recognition of law enforcement that exceeds the expectations of duty, state Sen. John Yudichak, state Rep. Doyle Heffley, and the Carbon County Commissioners commended nine local officers with the Community Police Officer Award.

The awards, which were presented at a ceremony during Carbon County's Safety Day at Mauch Chunk Lake this past Saturday, recognized law enforcement officers who have improved their community by volunteering where they work or live."We honor both our state police officers and our municipal police officers that go above and beyond the call of duty, who are coaches and volunteers and community leaders throughout Carbon County. We honor them with a citation today, and we appreciate the work that they do to protect and serve the people of Carbon County," Yudichak said.Patrolman Richard Neikam of the Nesquehoning Police Department was one of the officers who were recognized for their efforts."It's a special recognition in Carbon County, and I'm very honored by this award," Neikam said. "It recognizes the dedication for officers that go about and beyond the scope of the job. I want to thank everybody who nominated me for this award, I'm very appreciative of it, and I'm going to do my best to keep going about and beyond the call of duty."The following officers were also honored at the ceremony: Justin Magluilo, state Police Troop N/Lehighton Barracks; Lee Marzen, Jim Thorpe Police Department; Tyler Meek, Mahoning Township Police Department; Neil Yurchak, Kidder Township Police Department; Joshua Tom, Lansford Police Department; Kevin Buck, Palmerton Police Department; Ryan Mariano, Weatherly Police Department; Matthew Ahner, Lehighton Police Department.