Over the past 3 months, Axon received 115 RISE nominations recognizing incredible public safety Officers, Agencies and Community organizations that have made a positive impact on the lives of others. Thank you for sharing your stories and voting for those who have made a difference. Over 25,500 community votes were cast to determine our top 10 finalists in each category.

Today, we are excited to announce our 30 finalists! To all of our nominees, we are honored to recognize you and share your stories.

Our panel of judges is currently reviewing the finalists in each category. Winners will be announced at Axon Accelerate 2022!

Meet our 2022 RISE Award Finalists!

RISE Officer

Deputy Sheriff Michael Wade- Livingston County Sheriff’s Office, NY
Deputy Emily Zielewicz- Broome County Sheriff's Office, NY
Police Officer Zachariah Fierle- Town of Tonawanda Police Department, NY
Ranger Corbin Mager- Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, OH
Deputy Lambert- Ontario County Sheriffs Office, NY
Sgt. Mark Tapan and K9 Mattis- Alpharetta PD, GA
Officer Doug Welker- The Ohio State University Police Division, OH
Deputy Sheriff Clay Geidner- Banks County Sheriff's Office, GA
OFC Clayton Lyles, OFC Michael Montgomery, & CPL Joseph Whitaker- Bellevue Police Department, WA
Constable Judith Solomon- Peel Regional Police, Ontario, Canada

RISE Agency

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office- Punta Gorda, FL
Steuben County Sheriff’s Office- Bath, NY
Johns Creek Police Department- Johns Creek, GA
Saratoga County Sheriff's Office Second Chance Program- Ballston Spa, NY
Statesboro Police Department / Georgia K9 Foundation- Statesboro, GA
Niagara County Sheriff's Office- Lockport, NY
Franklin County Sheriff's Office- Chambersburg, PA
Opelika Police Department- Opelika, AL
Yavapai County Sheriff's Office- Prescott, AZ
Pasco Sheriffs Office- New Port Richey, FL

RISE Community

Okanogan County Community Coalition- Omak, WA
York Region Centre for Community Safety- Markham Ontario, Canada
Hope of Buffalo, Inc. / Peaceprints of WNY- Buffalo, NY
The Detective Brian “Smiles” Simonsen Memorial Foundation- Jamesport, NY
Protection From Abuse- Millville, NJ
Project K9 Hero- Whitwell, TN
The Dream Center- Denver, CO
Power of Putnam- Cookeville, TN
Monroe County Sheriff's Office | Pine Games- Rochester, NY
Communicare- Oxford, MS

As a reminder, RISE categories and prizes are as follows:

• The RISE Officer award honors three officers who have saved a life or shown exemplary performance in the field. Three Officer winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to Axon Accelerate in Phoenix, Arizona
• The RISE Agency award recognizes a department for making great strides in building up their community. One Agency winner will receive a $7,500 grant for their police foundation, police nonprofit or community program
• The RISE Community award honors a community program working hand in hand with law enforcement to benefit their local community. One Community winner will receive a $7,500 grant for program funding

Recipients of theJack Cover Medal of Heroism Awardwill also be recognized at Axon Accelerate 2022!

As the original inventor of the TASER technology, Jack Cover envisioned the preservation of life through non-lethal force. Today at Axon, we continue that mission to protect life with our products and technology. This prestigious award will be given on an ongoing basis to recognize those who save a life using a less-lethal force, verbal de-escalation, heroic action, quick thinking and more.

To nominate an officer for a Jack Cover Award send us your story at stories@axon.com.