- April 25, 2024
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City Commissioner Susan Persis, Cpl. Ryan Mihalko, Lt. Michelle Willis and Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey opens the promotional ceremony on Tuesday, July 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey, Lt. Michelle Willis and Cpl. Ryan Mihalko. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Lt. Michelle Willis speaks during her promotional ceremony on Tuesday, July 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Lt. Michelle Willis' new badge is pinned by her father, Russ Myers, and son. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Lt. Michelle Willis hugs her father Russ Myers after receiving her new badge. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey and Lt. Michelle Willis. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Cpl. Ryan Mihalko speaks during his promotional ceremony. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Cpl. Ryan Mihalko's badge is pinned by his wife, Leah. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey, Cpl. Ryan Mihalko and his wife, Leah. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Two Ormond Beach Police officers were recognized on Tuesday, July 27, for promotions in leadership, something Police Chief Jesse Godfrey said his department never takes lightly.
“Being promoted is a huge deal because you’re given much more responsibility than just that of a normal police officer, and as you know, police officers have huge amounts of responsibility and authority," Godfrey said. "To be in charge of those people is even a greater accomplishment, and greater deal.”
Now more than ever, the police chief said, does law enforcement need strong leaders.
The first officer to be promoted in the ceremony was Lt. Michelle Willis, formerly a sergeant. Willis, who served four years in the U.S. Army, has been with the Police Department since 2002.
She thanked her family for their support, saying she would not be standing there today in her current rank without them. Willis also expressed gratitude for her fellow officers.
“You cannot do good things without good people behind you and be willing to work with them to accomplish the same goals," Willis.
The second officer to be promoted was Cpl. Ryan Mihalko, formerly a detective. He began his career with the Police Department in 2008, and was the Crime Stoppers Detective of the Year in 2020.
He said that since he began his law enforcement career, he was exposed to different kinds of supervisors, making him think about the kind of leader he would be in their shoes.
“Hopefully with what I’ve learned, who I’ve spoken with and the supervisors who I’ve been through, I’m come to see who I want to be, as far as a leader, a supervisor and somebody that my family, my coworkers, are proud of," he said.
