(Rolling Prairie, IN) - Last weekend, a local VFW took time to honor a police officer.

On Saturday evening, Rolling Prairie VFW Post 9423 presented their Law Enforcement of the Year Award.

The recipient was Captain Pat Cicero of the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department.

"He’s a really great guy, he does a really great job,” said VFW representative Rich Mrozinski of Cicero. “He’s got a really, really long list of things that he has accomplished, and we want to show our appreciation.”

Mrozinski says Cicero is now automatically nominated for the same honor at the district and state levels.

As for Captain Cicero, he was both surprised and humbled. “I accept this on behalf of our investigative division and our department and the Sheriff’s Office in general,” he said after the ceremony. “I’m not one to accept awards, but I’m really honored.”

Cicero has been a police officer for 24 years. He’ll celebrate 20 years at the Sheriff’s Office in May.