Highland Heights Honors Retired Patrolman

Patrolman John D. Collins was presented with a Resolution of Appreciation from the city of for his 33-year career with the police department.

"He's been a patrolman for the city of Highland Heights since I was a junior in high school, which was 1978," Mayor Scott Coleman said before presenting the resolution at the Sept. 13 City Council meeting.

Collins was a shift officer from January 1992 to October 2008 and served on the Suburban Police Anti-Crime Network (SPAN) traffic accident unit since January 1994. Coleman said Collins was called out to every serious injury and fatal accident in the Hillcrest area.

Police Chief James Cook said, "John was a real asset to our department and a true gentleman."

Collins thanked city officials for the honor.

"I enjoyed my time here and I'm going to miss it," he said.

Matthew C. Evers was appointed to the vacant patrolman position. He is a 2002 graduate of Lake Catholic High School and received an associate's degree from Lakeland Community College, where he also attended the police academy. He was hired part-time in May 2010.

"He's done an outstanding job for the department and has been very dependable," Cook said.