Axon announces 2021 RISE Award winners

By Police1 Staff 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — On Wednesday, public safety technologies company Axon announced the winners of the 2021 Axon RISE Awards. The RISE Awards aim to highlight the untold stories of heroes in public safety and community organizations. 

The 2021 winners are as follows: 

RISE Officer 

• School Resource Officer Joreeca Dinnall, Hendersonville Police Department (N.C.) 

• Sergeant Anthony Shea, Orange County Sheriff’s Office (Fla.) 

• Deputy Shawn Hearn, Bell County Sheriff’s Office (Texas)  

Hear from the officer award winners below: 

RISE Agency

• Tye Police Department (Texas) 

RISE Community

• Building Bridges Program, Niagara Falls (N.Y.) 

Finalists were selected from over 150 nominees by nearly 17,000 community votes during a two-week voting period, according to the release. The winners were then chosen by a panel of judges. Officer winners each received a trip to Axon’s 2021 Accelerate conference and were recognized at a special event during the conference, the release says. 

Both Agency and Community winners receive a $7,500 Axon grant to be put towards their foundation in support of community programs.  

"Axon’s RISE Awards showcase the extraordinary courage, compassion and dedication to the community demonstrated by officers, agencies and community organizations across the country,” said Axon CEO and founder Rick Smith in a statement. “From the individual officers who put their lives on the line each day, to public safety agencies who work tirelessly to protect and enhance their communities, to community organizations who work hand in hand with public safety leaders to build a better future, Axon is incredibly proud to highlight those doing inspiring work in the world. Our hope is that the stories of heroism and valor highlighted through these awards will inspire others as much as they inspire us.” 

Axon also announced the relaunch of the Jack Cover Medal of Heroism award, presented by Deputy Charles Williams from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. This award recognizes officers who save a life. See Williams’s story below:  

Axon accepts nominations year-round for officers and community partners who show extraordinary courage, ingenuity and compassion, according to the release. To nominate an officer for a RISE or Jack Cover Medal of Heroism award, email stories@axon.com.