Simonson Receives 2023 Distinguished Service Award

-May 17, 2023, for immediate release

Sergeant Jeremiah Simonson was recently awarded a 2023 Distinguished Service Award from the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association (MCPA) for his leadership and innovation in engagement with several charitable organizations.  Sgt. Simonson not only excels at his day-to-day responsibilities as a Patrol Sergeant with the Rosemount Police Department, but also shows selfless determination to support law enforcement personnel and their families across Minnesota. His efforts have helped create positive connections in our community, increased awareness of important issues affecting law enforcement, and raised significant donations for a number of charities.  

In 2011, Sgt. Simonson co-founded the “Ballin’ in Dakota County” basketball tournament. The group launched with four teams comprised of law enforcement officers from Dakota County who played and raised money for MN public safety officers killed in the line of duty. The inaugural tournament was played for Mahnomen County Deputy Christopher Dewey - End of Watch (EOW) 08/09/10. Since then, the tournament has exploded to 16 teams including officers from over 40 agencies and focuses on family fun and competition, plus raffles, games, concessions, and exhibits. All proceeds are then donated to the family of the fallen officer or to the MN Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS). COPS is a non-profit organization, which provides resources to assist in rebuilding the lives of surviving families of officers killed in the line of duty. 

Equally important, in 2017, Sergeant Simonson helped Rosemount become the first agency in Minnesota to join the Pink Patch Project and partner with this national initiative that supports the American Cancer Society. Over the last six years, he has become the local contact for the MN Pink Patch and has met with over 50 agencies across MN to help them get started, offer advice, and strengthen the program. As a result, Minnesota has grown to the third most represented Pink Patch state, behind only California and Massachusetts. From a monetary perspective, over $200,000 dollars has been raised by MN agencies to support cancer-related non-profit organizations.

Finally, in 2021, the widow of former South St. Paul Police Department Sergeant Cory Slifko approached Sergeant Simonson to assist with creating an event in his honor.  The Slifko family  were long-time volunteers at the "Ballin’ in Dakota County" basketball tournament. A small group of volunteers worked together to form partnership with Invisible Wounds Project (IWP), an organization that provides therapy services and resources to Minnesota’s military, first responders, frontline medical staff, corrections, dispatch, and their families, relating to mental health, PTSD and suicide. The "Sgt. Cory Slifko Memorial Softball Tournament" was created. Over 25 agencies were represented from across the state and have raised an incredible amount of money in honor of Sgt. Slifko. In 2021, over $42,000 was raised and donated to IWP. The team expanded efforts in 2022, and more than $55,000 was raised and donated.

Congratulations to Sergeant Jeremiah Simonson on this well-deserved recognition, and for representing your city, your department, and your profession with honor.