Officer Cassandra Chandler

Officer Cassandra Chandler is Mound Correctional Facility's 2008 Officer of the Year and a finalist for the MDOC 2008 Officer of the Year. She is an upbeat and enthusiastic person who is always professional in her interactions with fellow employees, the public, and offenders. Officer Chandler performs above and beyond her duties on a regular basis. She has implemented programming that reduces wait times for visitation and serves on the facility's ACA committee.

Officer Chandler provided medical care to a young woman who suffered an asthma attack. Her caring demeanor was recognized by many staff and visitors who commented on her compassionate service. She provided medical aid until advance EMS arrived.

Officer Chandler serves on the Foster Care Review Board for Oakland County. She is the facility coordinator for Mound Correctional Facility's "Adopt-a-Family" program and a member of the

Nurse's Guild of her church. She also serves as the contact for Herman Keifer Hospital Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway Program for underprivileged families.

NRF's Lieutenant Norman Milton said that Officer Chandler performs her assignments in an exceptional manner and with a courteous and respectful demeanor. She brings intensity to her job and is constantly striving for self-improvement. She has a can-do selfless attitude at work and in her personal life.

Officer Kirk Downs

Officer Kirk Downs is Pugsley Correctional Facility's Officer of the Year and a finalist for the MDOC 2008 Officer of the Year. Kirk was recently recognized for his outstanding achievement with the MDOC Honor Guard, being awarded the Todd James Memorial Service Excellence Award. Officer Downs is a motivated and professional employee who is also fair, kind, compassionate, and respectful. Officer Downs exemplifies all that a corrections officer should be. He has excellent communication skills and a good rapport with employees, the public, and offenders.

Within Corrections, Kirk is a member of the Pugsley Correctional Facility Employee Club Board and the Honor Guard and has helped deliver Officer Recruit Training programs as a field training officer. He is active in the community as well, participating in local job fairs, and speaking at local schools about career choices. He also coaches the McBain High School football team and elementary school co-ed basketball team.

Kirk has taken an active role in the local Big Brothers, Big Sisters program, organizing an achievement day for children currently without a "Big Brother" or "Big Sister." He sponsored a Christmas party at his church and collected gifts and donations for the event.

Officer Down's supervisor, Captain Anthony Savoie said this of Kirk, "He is a self-starter and displays a strong desire to succeed.  He is disciplined and professional…I cannot think of anyone I have met in the past ten years that I would recommend over Officer Downs."

Officer Tyrone Lawrence

Officer Tyrone Lawrence is the Officer of the Year for Huron Valley Complex - Men and a finalist for the MDOC 2008 Officer of the Year. He is a role model for employees and prisoners who brings excellence to any job he is assigned. He has created an art form of professionalism. Officer Lawrence has been with the State of Michigan for almost 29 years, but is seen as a natural and honest leader who has helped bridge the gap of understanding between forensic security aides and corrections officers.

Within the Department, Officer Lawrence serves as a member of the Honor Guard.  He was instrumental in establishing a prisoner movement program during yard time and continues to seek new training opportunities within the facility.

In the community, Tyrone has served as a mentor for troubled teens at a youth home in Detroit. He also assisted with housing placement in the City of Redford for very low income families and volunteered with the Detroit Police Athletic League as a boy's youth football coach.

His supervisor, Sergeant Gary Frodyma said, "Officer Lawrence is one of the few individuals who warrant complete trust in his words and actions. He is an asset to the Department of Corrections."

Officer Bryan Neve

Officer Bryan Neve is Boyer Road Correctional Facility's Officer of the Year and a finalist for MDOC's 2008 Officer of the Year. Bryan works a variety of assignments at the facility and has taken the initiative to work as an acting sergeant when offered the chance. Officer Neve focuses on doing things right, being inquisitive and thinking outside the box. He is not afraid to ask questions and shares his knowledge with fellow staff. Bryan is professional, fair, and consistent in his interactions with offenders. He is a role model for all who know him.

Bryan has been influenced by his previous career with the United States Coast Guard where he was involved in numerous high risk rescues. During one ice rescue, Bryan pulled a man from under the ice, and without his immediate actions, the man would have drowned. He also participated in a training exercise teaching people how to survive and rescue themselves if they fall through the ice. He continues participating in training of all kinds with the department and remains interested in becoming a member of the facility's emergency response team.

In the community, Officer Neve is actively involved in Mid-Michigan Working Dogs (MMWD), which consists of bloodhounds used for tracking, rescue and search and recovery operations.  He and his bloodhound Buford have worked several cases with local law enforcement agencies and the Michigan State Police, including bank robberies, missing persons cases, and body recovery. Bryan and Buford also assisted in the high profile search for missing Williamston boy Ricky Holland. Other duties with MMWD include training and demonstrations to civic and children's groups throughout the area, educating people on the value of scent tracking and how to survive when lost in the woods.

Bryan's supervisor, Captain Brad Kilcherman said of Officer Neve, "He is a positive influence on my shift and his honesty and professional demeanor do not go unnoticed. He is a definite role model that his peers look up to. He is trusted and respected by his supervisors and his job performance is outstanding."

Michigan Department of Corrections, FYI Newsletter 022508