Marion Police Department Announces 2025 Award Recipients

The Marion Police Department recognized several of its award winners this week.

Amanda Adkins, a property officer with the Marion Police Department for 9 years, was chosen as the agency’s Civilian Officer of the Year for 2025. Amanda ensures that thousands of pieces of evidence and other kinds of property are received each year and are sent for scientific testing if needed, are available to court and are always accounted for.

Amanda also lends her artistic talent to the City of Marion in a variety of ways, painting the windows of City Hall, painting the mural at the Homicide Victim Memorial Garden and painting six of the Cardinals around town are some of the ways Amanda gives back to our community. “Amanda is very deserving of this award. She does a difficult job in an exemplary manner each and every day. We are very lucky to have her on our team, and it is easy to see why Amanda was voted the Civilian Officer of the Year by her peers” said Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald.

Officer Michael Starrs, a four-year veteran of the Marion Police Department, was selected by his peers to be the 2025 Marion Police Department Officer of the Year. Officer Starrs was nominated by his supervisors on 3rd Shift because of his leadership within his team. Officer Starrs sets an example with his positive attitude, his drive to help victims and his desire to make an #MPACT in our community.

Officer Starrs also serves on the Combined SRT team and is a leader with that group as well. “Any police department would be thrilled to have a team full of officers like Michael Starrs. He works hard, he cares about others, and he is always smiling. Michael Starrs is very deserving of this prestigious award, and we are proud he is a member of the Marion Police Department” Chief McDonald said.

Lt. Jim Fitsko, the longest serving member of the Police Department with over 34 years of service, was voted by his peers to be the 2025 Supervisor of the Year at the Marion Police Department. Lt. Fitsko has served as a K9 handler and a detective, in addition to being a supervisor during his career at MPD.

Lt. Fitsko also serves as the President of the Steve Young Memorial Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police and a Commissioner on the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission. He currently is assigned as the 3rd Shift supervisor at the department. “Lt. Fitsko is very deserving of this award, and I am proud to have him help lead our agency. Lt. Fitsko is a steady supervisor who is respected by his team and the agency. Lt. Fitsko is someone I can count on and I was very proud to present him his award as the 2025 Supervisor of the Year” Chief Jay McDonald stated.