WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Kevin K. Washburn today announced that Charles Addington, associate director of field operations for the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Office of Justice Services, has been named a finalist by the Partnership for Public Service for its 2013 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals. Addington, an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, is among 31 finalists, and the only Interior Department employee, in seven medal categories who were announced on May 7.
“I want to congratulate OJS Associate Director Charles Addington on being named a 2013 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal finalist, a notable recognition of his outstanding work,” Washburn said. “I’m proud of all of our law enforcement officers for their devoted service to protecting families and communities throughout Indian Country. Their daily beat is often a remote area encompassing hundreds of miles, where difficult or dangerous circumstances can occur whether making an arrest, conducting an investigation or defusing an emotional domestic situation. Charles Addington represents the best of BIA Law Enforcement.”
Addington was recognized for developing and implementing an innovative law enforcement program that reduced the high violent crime rate on four Indian reservations by 35 percent, providing a model for other Native American communities. He is among five finalists in the Homeland Security and Law Enforcement Medal category announced by the Partnership for Public Service.
All 31 finalists for the 2013 Service to America Medals, called the “Sammies” (#sammies2013), have shown a strong commitment to public service and made significant contributions that are innovative, high-impact and critical for the nation.
The Partnership for Public Service, which will hold a gala event in October where the medals for each category will be awarded, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to revitalize the federal government by inspiring a new generation to serve and by transforming the way government works. For more information, visit http://ourpublicservice.org.
The Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals pay tribute to the best in the nation’s federal workforce and inspire a new generation to join in service to the country. For more information on the Sammies and all of the 2013 finalists, visit www.servicetoamericamedals.org.
