Tyler Police Chief Gary Swindle congratulates Plain Clothes Officer of the Year recipient, Detective John Partlow, at the Tyler Police Department Awards Banquet on Feb. 27, 2015 at the UT-Tyler Ornelas Activity Center.

Tyler Police Department Chief Gary Swindle took time on Friday night to thank officers for their service every night of the year.

He, along with members of the Tyler City Council, honored officers and residents at the Tyler Police Department Awards Banquet at UT Tyler’s Ornelas Activity Center.

One of the big winners Friday night was Detective John Partlow, who was honored with the Plain Clothes Officer of the Year Award.

“He’s a great detective, he knows something is up,” Swindle said of Partow before the banquet began.

Tyler police chose to surprise the officers, to make the awards and commendations even more meaningful to them after a long week fighting icy conditions in Tyler.

241st State District Judge Jack Skeen, Jr. was honored with a trophy for his dedication in not missing a day of work for 30 years. As a humorous aside, he also was presented with a digitally enhanced photograph of himself with the first Tyler police chief.

“Judge Jack Skeen likes to tell us that he hasn’t missed a day in 30 years,” Swindle said. “But we actually found a picture here from 1912 — there’s Judge Skeen with the first Chief of Police.”

The biggest honor of the night went to Officer James Lenderman for his more than 30 years of impeccable service. Lenderman was named the Officer of the Year.

Other winners include: April Molina, DG Cook, David Cook, Jason Compton, Tim Hutson, Melinda Melara, Matt Rigland, Chris McNamara, Chuck Barber, Bart Lemons, Rodney Simington, Paul Robeson, Brandon Lott, Margie Johnson, Emilia Carlson, Stacey Collum, Garrett Martin and Daniel Richardson.

Also honored were members of the Communications Unit, as well as citizens who have made extraordinary efforts to help their community.