The Plant City Optimist Club held its annual Respect for Law dinner at the Plant City Police Department in May. At the dinner the 2015 Officers of the Year, James Burchett and Jeffrey Hilsman, were honored.
Both officers saved a mother in her children from a burning Plant City home last November. The mother’s boyfriend had stabbed her and purposefully set fire to the house.
Burchett began his career with the Plant City Police Department in January 2010. Burchett is assigned to the patrol division and is a member of the Field Training Officer program for the Department. Burchett first started in law enforcement in December 2003 with the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia. He worked as a Patrol Deputy and was promoted to investigations in 2008 where he was assigned to work narcotics and violent crimes.
Hilsman began his career with the Plant City Police Department as a patrol officer in July 2012. He is assigned to the patrol and information services divisions. He joined the United Stated Air Force, and served four years on active duty, and currently serves in the United States Air Force Reserve. He obtained his law enforcement certification through Hillsborough Community College and is working towards degrees in criminal justice and electronic systems technology.
Prior to starting with the Plant City Police Department he served five years as a Reserve Deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Also in attendance at the dinner, along with family and friends, were Marshall Middle School’s Gentleman’s Quest club and FFA members; Tomlin Middle Schools Gentleman’s Quest club; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation center supervisor Lillie Brown and the Empowering Quality Character mentoring group.
The dinner is not only to recognize outstanding service but also to inspire respect for the law among young people.
