The University of Georgia Police Department hosted its annual Awards Ceremony on Thursday, February 26, at its training facility. Several officers and non-sworn personnel, along with two citizens, were presented with awards for their remarkable acts of service in 2025.
SPO James “Jimmy” Simons was named the 2025 Employee of the Year. On Thursday, October 2, 2025, Jimmy answered his final call. Jimmy courageously battled cancer for six years, displaying a level of strength and determination that few could ever match. He also was named the Sworn Officer of the Year.
The department implemented a new service award named the Jimmy Simons Award. This award was created in honor and remembrance of Jimmy for his dedicated service and devotion to this department for 20 years. Jimmy exemplified our departmental values of professionalism, dedication, courage, commitment, and dependability, showing the highest level of integrity through a servant mindset, humbleness, and compassion.
The 2025 Lifesaving Award was presented to Sergeant Vincent Schill with ACCPD and Hilary Metz, a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens. This award honors an employee, or group of employees, for actions taken in the line of duty that save the life of another. On August 1, 2025, while Officer Matthew Murphy was on his way to work, he was involved in a horrific crash. Murphy sustained significant and life-threatening injuries during the accident. Sgt. Schill stated that Metz’s correct application of the tourniquet was described by physicians as instrumental in saving Murphy’s life.
In 2025, two outstanding individuals tied at 100% for the Top Gun Award. A total of 62 officers received the Excellence in Marksmanship Award for scoring 90% or better on their first attempt during their annual firearm qualification.
Our communication center and patrol units answered a remarkable 101,431 calls for service. Among these, we documented 2,457 police reports and 631 accident reports, demonstrating the wide range of incidents we handled with diligence and care.
The department is committed to formally recognizing and commending individuals whose actions have brought distinction and honor to themselves and to the department. Chief of Police Jeff Clark said, “Your commitment to duty and to the campus community exemplifies the very best of law enforcement. Together, we are making a difference, and I am proud to work alongside you.”
The following commendations were awarded to members of the University of Georgia Police Department and community partners.
2025 UGPD Awards
Jeff Whitfield Crisis Response Award
- Gabrielle Richards
- SPO Ed Davis
- SPO Davon Hadwin,
- SPO Nicholas Jackson
- SPO Todd Lee
- SCO Courtney Nixon
- CO Johnas Newsome
- CO Brandon Varner
Lifesaving Award
- Vincent Schill
- Hilary Metz
Community Partnership Award
- Carrie Smith
Top Gun Award
- Lance Tipton
- SPO Chandler Quigley
Peer Awards
2025 Administrative / Support Employee of the Year– Britney Green
2025 Communications Officer of the Year- SCO Demario Smith
2025 Sworn Administrative Staff of the Year- Cpl. Chris Martin
2025 Sworn Officer of the Year- SPO Jimmy Simons
2025 Employee of the Year- SPO Jimmy Simons
