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2010 Corrections Officer of the Year Shawn Minerick
 Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility's Shawn Minerick has been selected as Michigan's 2010 Corrections Officer of the Year. Shawn is a Resident Unit Officer at Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility in Baraga, MI. He has been an Emergency Response Team (ERT) member for the past ten years, influencing the team in a variety of ways including the development of an ERT ready room to prepare for ERT deployment and to review and critique incidents that have occurred. Shawn's actions reduced prisoner misbehavior and enhanced the response time for cell extraction teams when it became necessary to intervene. He is a trainer in cell extraction and volunteers to train new employees on the proper extraction techniques. Shawn is a role model that all staff can be proud of. He is punctual and brings a positive attitude to work each day. He is a team player who is dedicated to success. He takes on extra responsibilities without question and is a natural leader.
Shawn is a community leader as well, providing support to the local flag football team and both boy's and girl's basketball programs. He provides the role of coach and mentor, emphasizing sportsmanship, good conduct and team building. He and his wife also support the Peninsula Area Girl Scouts of America.
F.Y.I. talked with Officer Minerick and his family prior to the ceremony. He said it was nice to travel into the Lower Peninsula and visit an area that is foreign to him. It was the first time his children had been across the Mackinac Bridge, an experience they thought was awesome. Our collective experience in recognizing Shawn as the 2010 Officer of the Year and all of the brave corrections officers for the job they do each day was awesome too.
Shawn exhibited humility and humor during his acceptance speech. He focused on what it meant to him personally, but also praised those around him, especially his family, for their support. He joked about his lack of public speaking experience, telling his warden that his acceptance speech would be just one word, "Thanks." In the end, it was eloquent, from the heart, and genuine - exactly what we would all expect from the best of the best.
Each year, correctional facilities throughout the state select a facility officer of the year. From that group, five finalists are selected by a committee comprised of the current and former Officers of the Year, Michigan Corrections Organization, Michigan Department of Corrections, and the Michigan Corrections Officers' Training Council. Each year, the selection is a difficult one for the committee because the finalists share so may admirable qualities.
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