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South Lyon Police recognize officer of the year, announce promotions and retirement
Summary
Police Chief Bakke recognized Detective Audra Baker as 2024 Officer of the Year, promoted Joe Chopsky to sergeant and announced Sergeant John Tomanek's retirement after a long tenure.
Police Chief Bakke presented personnel recognition and staffing changes to the City Council on April 14.
Chief Bakke introduced Detective Audra Baker as the South Lyon Police Department's 2024 Officer of the Year, citing her investigations and community volunteer work. "Her community involvement is exemplary," Bakke said. The department's awards committee voted unanimously to name Baker the officer of the year; she will receive a plaque.
Bakke also introduced Sergeant Joe Chopsky, who joins the department's sergeant ranks with six years of prior experience and who previously served as a field-training officer and traffic-safety officer. The chief credited Chopsky with evidence work that led to a conviction in a past drive-by-shooting investigation.
Bakke paid tribute to Sergeant John Tomanek, who is retiring. Bakke described Tomanek's long tenure — hired in 1997, the city's first school resource officer around 1999, a stint with a federal task force, years on midnight shift and leadership of the property room — and said the department will miss him.
The council offered congratulations and thanks; no formal council action was required for these personnel recognitions at this meeting.
