Page 5 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

Officer Serman 2024 Officer of the Year

By Sarah Shurge “I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a
On Tuesday, May 6th, at the City of Wayne’s police officer to help people,” said Officer Serman.
Council meeting, Officer James Serman was pre- In 2021, Officer Serman joined the Wayne Police
sented with the 2024 Police Officer of the Year Department (WPD).
Award. During his three years at the WPD, Officer Ser-
Each year the Wayne Police Department’s man has received multiple commendations, in-
Awards Committee - which consists of patrol offi- cluding one for finding the homicide vehicle.
cers, command officers, and the police chief - “My time at the high school for a year and a
meet to select a Police Officer of the Year Award half was very eye opening. It helped me be a better
recipient as well as other individual awards for ex- officer and taught communication skills. It helped
emplary service. me when I got back on road patrol to communi-
“Officer Serman has a high degree of integrity cate with the public easier,” said Officer Serman.
and cares deeply about his fellow officers and the Officer Serman was stationed at Wayne Memo-
community. We are lucky to have him as a mem- rial High School which is the same high school he
ber of the department, and he is highly deserving graduated from. “My Lieutenant was actually my
of this award,” said Wayne Police Chief Ryan School Resource Officer,” said Officer Serman.
Strong. Officer Serman was nominated by his su- Officer Serman is currently on road patrol, but
pervisor for his hard work and positive attitude. Police Officer of the Year 2024 Award winner James his end goal is to be the next canine handler or su-
Officer Serman spent much of last year as the Serman with Police Chief Ryan Strong. pervisor. “I want to thank all the supervisors that
School Resource Officer at Wayne Memorial High it. I've had and my training officers, they set a good
School, where he built relationships with stu- “This led us to quickly identifying the suspect foundation for me. They helped instill what it is
dents, staff, and the community. “He takes time to and getting a conviction for homicide,” said Chief to be a good police officer. If it wasn't for them, I
make his presence known in the community, not Strong. wouldn't be in the position I am,”said Officer Ser-
just the high school,” said Chief Strong. There were two things that Officer Serman man.
Officer Serman also spent time assisting the In- wanted to do in life: go into the military like his Congratulations to Officer Serman for his well-
vestigations Bureau, where he was instrumental father and be a police officer. Officer Serman ac- deserved recognition!
in helping to solve a homicide case. The team re- complished both of those dreams. For more information about the Wayne Police
ceived information about a suspect’s vehicle at a In 2013, Officer Serman enlisted in the United Department, visit cityofwayne.com/159/Police or
hotel. Officer Serman spent time during his off States Marine Corps and served active duty for you can find them on Facebook by searching “City
time looking for the vehicle and was able to locate five years. of Wayne, Michigan Police Department.”

The Wayne Dispatch · June 2025 · 5