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Kiwanis honor Chad Hacker with Officer of Year accolade

Det. Sgt. Chad Hacker (center) receives the Officer of the Year award from Huntington Noon Kiwanis Club President Erv Ebersole (left) and Huntington Police Chief Tom Emely.
Det. Sgt. Chad Hacker (center) receives the Officer of the Year award from Huntington Noon Kiwanis Club President Erv Ebersole (left) and Huntington Police Chief Tom Emely. Photo by Cindy Klepper.

Chad Hacker, a 10-year veteran of the Huntington Police Department, has been honored by the Huntington Noon Kiwanis Club as Officer of the Year.

The honor was presented during a luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Habecker Dining Commons on the Huntington University campus. The award came as a surprise to Hacker, who used the occasion to pay tribute to his mentors and co-workers on the department.
"Det. Hacker sets himself apart by his unrelenting drive to work to improve the quality of life for all the citizens of Huntington," says Huntington Police Chief S. Thomas Emely.

Hacker is currently a sergeant in the city police department's detective bureau. He began his career in law enforcement as a reserve officer for the city in July 1998 and was hired as a full-time officer in June 1999 by then-Police Chief Paul Adams. He was promoted to detective in January 2004.

Hacker served as assistant chief of police from January 2008 to January 2009, when he returned to the detective bureau and was promoted to his current rank.

"Starting with his first day on the job, Chad has strived to be the best police officer he can," Emely says.

Hacker has taken specialized training and has learned from fellow officers. He is certified as a hostage negotiator, child abuse investigator, DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) instructor and drug investigation expert. He serves as a board member for McKenzie's Hope and donates many hours at the Huntington PAL Club.

Emely particularly praises Hacker's ability to connect with the people he serves.

"He has the special ability to talk to anybody, whether that person is the victim of the crime or the suspect," Emely says.

"He cares about the people in his community," Emely adds. "He is a role model and inspiration to all."
Hacker, a lifelong Huntington-area resident, and his wife Michelle are the parents of Garrett, Olivia and Madison.