Awards announced at the Sheriff’s Department

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday announced recipients of two high-profile awards.

Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said Mark Mellinger was named Uniformed Services Deputy of the Year for 2022. Meanwhile, Gabriel Keely received Corrections Deputy of the Year for 2022.

Bingaman said the county is a safer place because of Mellinger, while Keely is an employee who goes above and beyond.

Mellinger, a sheriff’s department employee for about a dozen years, was employee of the month in October. Keely, who has been with the department less than five years, was employee of the month last May. Bingaman said employee of the month is a prerequisite to receiving consideration for employee of the year.

Both recipients were chosen by all their respective department sergeants.