Giarmo honored as Officer of the Year in Grosse Pointe City

GROSSE POINTE CITY — He’s only been with the department for about three years, but Grosse Pointe City Public Safety Department officer Austin Giarmo has already made a strong impression.

Giarmo was announced as Officer of the Year for his work in 2023 by Public Safety Director John Alcorn during an April 15 Grosse Pointe City Council meeting.

“He’s been an incredible addition. … I’m honored that he works with us,” Alcorn said.

Giarmo serves as a juvenile officer and a member of the fire prevention and crisis intervention teams, Alcorn said. Last year, he said, Giarmo became a field training officer. He also completed basic detective school.

Alcorn praised Giarmo for his kindness and bravery, something Alcorn said Giarmo brings to his work every day.

“He’s the best example of what we want our officers to be,” Alcorn said.

For the third straight year, Giarmo received an award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for leading the department in drunken driving arrests.

“Every time that he goes out there (on the road) … he’s saving lives,” Alcorn said.

During one of the fires Giarmo fought last year, Alcorn said, Giarmo saved a cat from a burning home, for which he received a chief’s letter.

“I’m very honored to receive the award,” Giarmo said after the meeting about being named Officer of the Year. “I work with a ton of great officers. I couldn’t do it without the support of all of the officers I work with.”

Giarmo’s parents, Kelli and Frank Giarmo, and his wife, Erin Giarmo, were also on hand for the announcement.

“We’re very proud of him,” Kelli Giarmo said.

Several other members of the department were recognized with awards for their outstanding efforts in 2023 as well. Detective Michael Narduzzi and Detective Sgt. Joseph Adams received citations. Lt. Thomas Martindale and officers Joshua Ina and Jacob Carpenter received a unit commendation for reuniting a missing child with the child’s mom, Alcorn said. Martindale, Sgt. Christopher Cotzias, Sgt. Michael Herrgott, Giarmo and officer Jarod Jones received a unit commendation also.

Receiving commendations were Jones, Giarmo, officer Steven Mukavec and Lt. Alan Gwyn; Alcorn said Gwyn apprehended a suspect in three sexual assaults.

Receiving chief’s letters from Acorn were Giarmo, Cotzias, Herrgott and Jones. For their mutual aid work in Grosse Pointe Park, former Park Public Safety Director Bryan Jarrell sent chief’s letters to Cotzias, Herrgott, Giarmo, Jones and officer Jacob Gentile. For their mutual aid work in Grosse Pointe Farms, Farms Public Safety Director John Hutchins sent chief’s letters to Gwyn, Herrgott and Giarmo.