Padonia Station, Timonium
Mon., Aug. 2, 2010
Among the purposes of Optimists Clubs are the intentions to promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs, and to inspire respect for law. Towards those ends, Optimist International sponsors Respect for Law Week in May each year.
The Timonium Optimists celebrate Respect for Law Week by holding a special club dinner meeting in May to honor the Timonium Optimist Officer of the Year, chosen by the captain of our local Cockeysville Precinct of the Baltimore County Police Department. The recognition given to that one outstanding policeman represents the high regard that the Optimists and the rest of the community have for the entire department.
The event is always well attended by high-ranking members of the BCPD, including Police Chief James W. Johnson or his representative and Captain Martin Lurz of Cockeysville Precinct 7 or his representative. These spokespersons for the BCPD repeatedly express appreciation for the support shown by the Timonium Optimists through this program and through the club’s cooperation with police-sponsored projects such as Shop with a Cop, PAL Day at the Farm and the Genesee Valley Outdoor Adventure.
The honoree for this year is Officer Tom Kneib, an eight-year veteran of the Baltimore County Police Dept. who serves at the Cockeysville Precinct. He was recognized at the Timonium Optimist Respect for Law dinner on Mon., May 18, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Timonium. Capt. Martin Lurz praised Officer Kneib as an exemplary policeman—outstanding especially for being proactive in both criminal and traffic enforcement. Officer Kneib achieved very high enforcement totals. The quality of his investigations led to the resolution of a number difficult cases, including a Grand Theft/Forgery case involving multiple suspects forging checks at various banks. Officer Kneib has clearly demonstrated that he is a diligent and resourceful investigator and a loyal and dedicated officer who deserves to be honored as Officer of the Year.