EAST MOLINE, Ill. — The Moline Breakfast Optimist Club is celebrating National Police Week by honoring local law enforcement.
The club gave out its annual "Top Cop" award at a ceremony at the Fresh Kitchen in East Moline on Wednesday, May 15. After receiving nominations from the Moline Police Department, East Moline Police Department and the Rock Island County Sheriff's Office, club members whittled the list down to three contenders before finally naming the winner. The recognition ultimately went to Mike Mendoza, deputy sheriff at the Rock Island County Sheriff's Office.
"I have been a resource officer out at Sherrard School District for six years. Daily events can change from day to day. Most days start off with me either inside or outside greeting the kids all the way up to counseling life experiences, talking about good things and bad things that are going on at home, going on at school. I also coach the bass fishing team out at Sherrard, involved in a lot of events," Mendoza said.
The Moline Breakfast Optimist Club has been serving the Illinois side of the Quad Cities since 1959.