PFC BENJAMIN PANITCH NAMED 2024 OCPD OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Ocean City, MD - The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) held its annual Officer of the Year Ceremony on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at The Ashore. The event was attended by nearly 150 guests and celebrated the exceptional service and achievements of OCPD personnel and volunteers in 2024.
The highlight of the ceremony was the announcement of Police Officer First Class (PFC) Benjamin Panitch as the Officer of the Year. The selection process was facilitated by three community members: Larry Yates, Megan Alvarado, and Greg Shockley. Their insights and evaluations of the nominees, which included PFC Panitch, PFC Hailie Brumley, PFC Yovanny Ramirez, Corporal Jacob Fetterolf, and Corporal Ryan Flanagan, were crucial in determining the recipient of this prestigious title.
PFC Benjamin Panitch began his service to the Ocean City community in 2019 as a 911 dispatcher before transitioning to a full-time officer a year later. Since then, he has been an integral part of the Traffic Safety Unit.
In 2024, PFC Panitch's outstanding contributions included 62 arrests, 122 reportable investigations, and the issuance of over 800 traffic citations and warnings. In addition to his primary responsibilities, PFC Panitch is an FAA UAS Pilot, leads First Amendment education efforts for boardwalk performers, plays a key role in recruitment, and serves as a liaison for the Neighborhood Watch. His remarkable dedication to his work and community has rightfully earned him the Officer of the Year award.
The ceremony also recognized the volunteers of the OCPD Auxiliary Unit, who collectively contributed an impressive 2,105.25 hours in 2024. Since its inception in 1999, the unit's members have volunteered over 68,000 hours, saving Ocean City's taxpayers more than $2 million. This year, the Auxiliary Officer of the Year award was presented to Anthony "Tony" Pinkovsky for his unwavering dedication to the department.
Several individuals were honored by the Commendation Board for their extraordinary devotion to duty, courage, and commitment to excellence. Awards included the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Award, Lifesaving Award, Excellent Performance Award, Unit Citation, and Certificate of Outstanding Service.
The following individuals were recognized for their remarkable dedication, courage, and commitment to excellence:
- Bronze Star: Sergeant Douglas Smith, Corporal John Spicer, PFC Likeke Arlington, and PFC Timothy Chaykosky
- Meritorious Service: Sergeant Nathan Kutz
- Lifesaving Award: PFC Anthony Helias, PFC William Mossop, PFC Justin Koser (x2), and Seasonal Officer Finley Cole
- Excellent Performance: Lieutenant Joseph Lotito, Sergeant Joseph Bushnell, Sergeant Nicholas Forsyth, Sergeant Nathan Kutz, Sergeant Kyle Murray, Corporal Benjamin Berry, Corporal David Whitmer, PFC Devin Bartrom, PFC Anthony Calabrese, PFC Joshua Glaub, PFC Amy Gutowski, PFC Emma Hamilton-Blackford (x3), PFC Sean Mills, DFC Edward Newcomb, PFC Benjamin Panitch (x3), PFC Corey Pavinski, PFC Daniel Richardson (x2), PFC Jessica Wieber, and Maryland State Police Trooper Brandon Stacey (with the Berlin Barrack)
- Unit Citation: Animal Control Unit - Animal Control Officer Barbara Wisniewski and ACO Connor Wisniewski
- Certificate of Outstanding Service: Mr. Scott Davidson and Mr. Christopher Greenwood.
As part of the department's growth and development, 2024 also saw the promotion of 32 officers, each bringing unique skills and experiences to their respective roles. These promotions not only recognized individual contributions but also reflected the collective progress of the OCPD.
The following officers were promoted in the past year: Captain Dennis Eade, Lieutenant Jeffrey Johns, Lieutenant Michael Kelly, Lieutenant Joseph Lotito, Sergeant Michael Kirkland, Sergeant Nathan Kutz, Sergeant Christopher Snyder, Corporal Danielle Braniff (x2), Corporal Corey Gemerek, Corporal Harry Miller, Corporal Kory Moerschel, Corporal David Whitmer, PFC Anthony Calabrese, PFC Nicolas Centeio, PFC Timothy Chaykosky, PFC Joshua Glaub, PFC Emma Hamilton-Blackford, PFC Dylan Harlos, PFC Ja-Quez Harrell, PFC Nolan Kilchenstein, PFC Jonette Miller, PFC Sean Mills, PFC Austin Mora, PFC William Mossop, PFC (name redacted due to assignment), PFC Ryan Osowiecki, PFC Corey Pavinski, PFC Thomas Stoltzfus, Custody Officer Anna Hoffnagle, Custody Officer Jessica Lagas, and Executive Administrative Assistant Mikayla Shemansky.
