Maple Grove honors police and fire personnel with 2025 public safety awards

Maple Grove presented its 2025 public safety awards during a special City Council meeting on Feb. 17, 2026, at the Maple Grove Government Center/Public Safety Facility. Mayor Mark Steffenson called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. and councilmembers and senior public-safety leaders attended.

The Police and Fire Department safety awards were presented to a series of individual and unit recipients. The Fire Department recognized Megan Woodbury with a Citizen Commendation and listed multiple Commendation recipients including Lieutenant Sheila Manelli and Firefighter Jordan Butler. Michael Paidar received the Fire Service Achievement recognition; Battalion Chief Chad Van Curler was also noted in the fire awards roster.

The Police Department awards included Citizen Certificates of Appreciation presented to Stephani Johnson, Robert Ayres and Monet Laguna; a Chief’s Letter of Appreciation to Community Service Officer Jonah Hamberger; and a Citation of Excellence awarded to the Maple Grove SWAT Team for actions dated June 14 and June 15, 2025. Department and Chief’s Awards of Merit acknowledged several officers, detectives and support staff, including retired Community Service Officer Mark Ryan and Investigative Support Technician Silvie Greder. A Medal of Commendation was listed for Officer Al Daniel. The 2025 Officer of the Year was recorded as Officer Missy Parker.

The minutes list many individual recipients by name across both departments; the meeting materials named officers, detectives, sergeants, analysts and other staff recognized for service in 2025. The agenda item for "Other items as deemed necessary" recorded no additional business. Mayor Steffenson adjourned the meeting at 7:07 p.m. The minutes were submitted by City Administrator Heidi Nelson.

The meeting served as a formal recognition of the year’s public-safety contributions in Maple Grove and did not include recorded motions, votes, or policy decisions.