The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award  
Home About Nominate News Room Current Recipients Past Recipients Best Practices
2010 Announcements
Meet the Recipients
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
Logo of the National Committee for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
The following organization received the 2008 Freedom Award
Freedom Award TrophyOakland County Sheriff's Office
Pontiac, MI
Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Michael Bouchard, receives the 2008 Freedom Award at a Sept. 18 ceremony in Washington, DC. (Left to right), Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs Thomas F. Hall, Sheriff Bouchard, Director, Air National Guard, Lieutenant General Craig R. McKinley, and Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Dr. David S. C. Chu. Photo by Jason Brunson
Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Michael Bouchard, receives the 2008 Freedom Award at a Sept. 18 ceremony in Washington, DC. (Left to right), Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs Thomas F. Hall, Sheriff Bouchard, Director, Air National Guard, Lieutenant General Craig R. McKinley, and Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Dr. David S. C. Chu. (Photo by Jason Brunson)
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, located in Pontiac, Michigan, is a 2008 recipient of the Secretary of Defense Freedom Award in the category of Public Sector. The Department is also a co-recipient of the 2008 Michigan ESGR Pro Patria Award. When Deputy (SGT) James McKelvey was recuperating from injuries suffered in Iraq, Sheriff Bouchard personally visited him twice at Walter Reed and the Department provided weekly updates to their employees on his recovery. Sheriff Bouchard was recognized by the Michigan Army National Guard with the Michigan Distinguished Service Medal for his exceptional support to SGT McKelvey and his family. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Department provides pay differential and full benefits for its Guard and Reserve employees and their families for the duration of their military service, and even purchased laptop computers for deployed employees use “in-country.” The Department is the first Michigan Law Enforcement Agency to partner with the US Army in the “Partnership for Youth Success Program (PAYS) which actively recruits Armed Forces members for employment. As a result of PAYS and other initiatives, the Sheriff’s Department has hired a number of Guard and Reserve members and currently has 12 Guard and Reserve members who are Sheriff Deputies. In appreciation for their service, the Department has provided escort vehicles for returning units stationed within Oakland County and offers all returning employees an additional 10 days of paid leave. All returning veterans receive awards for their service during the Annual Oakland County Awards ceremony. Sheriff Bouchard, in partnership with Morton’s Steakhouse and the Detroit Pistons, launched an “Every Day is Veterans Day” campaign to recognize the contributions made by veterans and members of the Guard and Reserve.
Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, with the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. Photo by Jason Brunson
Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, with the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. (Photo by Jason Brunson)
 
The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award
1555 Wilson Blvd., Suite 319, Arlington, VA 22209
1-800-336-4590
Enjoying Our Site?
Let Us Know!