MCAS BEAUFORT, S.C. -- Officer John Hancock, a police officer for the Tri- Command’s Provost Marshal’s Office, received the Law Enforcement Commendation Medal and a certificate of achievement, Sept. 24.
The medal was presented by The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution during a ceremony held at the Provost Marshal’s Office aboard the Air Station. The award has only been earned twice in the last 10 years.
“This award means a lot to me,” said Hancock, a Quincy, Fla. native. “It keeps the motivation up and makes me want to push from giving 100 to 110 percent.”
The Provost Marshal’s Office is responsible for the security and law enforcement of not only the Air Station but Marine Corp Recruit Depot Parris Island and the Laurel Bay living community.
“A lot people just think that all we do is check [identification cards] and tell people to turn their music down,” said Hancock. “We work hard everyday to make the installations safe and make sure everything runs smoothly.”
Hancock served as an infantryman and marksmanship coach in the Marine Corps prior to becoming a police officer. Hancock has since served the Tri-Command installations and their residents for nearly three years.
“I nominated Officer Hancock for this award because of his community policing,” said Officer Morrell Carter, a fellow officer with the Provost Marshal’s office. “He is exceptional.
“Many call him the unofficial mayor of Laurel Bay, his ability to deal with people and relate to them is outstanding,” continued Carter. “He is a strong believer in protecting and serving the community, and it has gotten to the point where residents will ask for him by name.”
On June 27, the Provost Marshal’s Office received a report on a missing child. Officer Hancock responded and found the child in less then 5 minutes after the report was filed.
“I know the area of Laurel Bay really well, when I got there on the scene and I heard the age of the child I knew there was park near the home, so I headed there and found the child on the way.”
According to Carter, Hancock’s service to the community does not end when he takes his uniform off.
“Officer Hancock was one of the first to respond to a residential fire while off duty,” Carter said. “He managed to ensure that all of the residents vacated the premises safely before emergency responders arrived.”
Now with a new award upon his chest Hancock can continue to serve the community and the service members of the Tri-Command.
“I have always loved working with people,” said Hancock. “Working for people with great people just makes the day go by.”