Jackson – On Oct. 6th, the Amador County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution honoring this year’s recipients of the Amador County Peace Officers Association’s annual awards. Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan was named the 2009 Peace Officer of the Year by Officers Association, and the group named Jackson sign company owner and TSPN personality Kam Merzlak as its 2009 Citizen of the Year. The Officers Association plans a ceremony honoring the recipients of its annual award at a dinner Saturday, Oct. 24 at the American Legion Hall in Martell. Ryan said Tuesday it was quite an honor and a surprise to be selected. He said it was a prestigious group of retired police officers in the POA, from many different backgrounds and from all over the state who settle here. So to be selected by them to be honored for having contributed to local law enforcement was a big honor. And he thanked many people in the community. Ryan said: “None of this happens by yourself as an individual. I work with a great team in Amador County.” In his second year and first term in the sheriff’s office, he said he has built great relationships in collaborating with other public agencies. Those included the local jurisdiction police chiefs and departments, the Amador County unit of the California Highway Patrol and its commander, the Department of Health and Human Services, victim’s protection groups including Operation Care, Mule Creek State, California Youth Authority and the Amador County probation office. He said he has built a trust between his department and the other agencies, and without that “ability to get along,” he “would not be able to accomplish anything.” Kam Merzlak, owner of Merzlak Signs and a TSPN AMLive host, said he was notified of his Citizen of the Year award about 2 weeks ago. He said he felt honored to be among some of the former winners. He said at least 4 people told him they nominated him for the award. Merzlak said he feels he is a “catalyst,” and “gathering people together and getting people to work together as a team – that’s what I do.” He is active anywhere possible, and said: “You name it, I’m there to assist when I can.” The event starts at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m., Saturday, October 24th, at American Legion Hall, Martell. Tickets are $25, available at the sheriff’s office, or by calling the POA at 267-1820. Story by Jim Reece. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.