Connor Maedge is Officer of the Year

by Randy Pierce

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During a period of just a handful of months, close to a half-year in total, since Connor Maedge completed his local training period and became a full-fledged patrolman with the Fairview Heights Police Department, he made enough positive impact to earn its 2024 officer of the year award as presented by Chief Steve Johnson during a “night of recognition” held on Tuesday, January 28.

In calling attention to Maedge with this honor, Johnson, who commented how he believes it will not be the last time, said, “From day one of being released from the field training program (where a new officer undergoes orientation from a more experienced one while both are out on the streets of the city), he has excelled…”

“…Not only in enforcement,” Johnson continued, “but he is often making suggestions on how to improve our department and make our community safer.”

Beyond offering that praise, Johnson referenced what he feels is Maedge’s greatest attribute – his honorable character, demonstrated by his deep commitment to the community and helping others, “Each day he goes out to make a difference.”

This is best exemplified, the chief went on, by how when Maedge and his wife got married in December in Grafton, located northwest of here in Madison County, they asked guests to bring toys that would be donated to the Salvation Army in Alton instead of gifts for the newlywed couple.

During the awards ceremony, Johnson further shared how Maedge, in 2024, made 28 traffic arrests along with conducting 286 traffic stops while additionally arresting 30 fugitives who were wanted, impeding the further progress and potential negative outcomes of 12 individuals who were driving under the influence, adding seven arrests for possession of controlled substances, five for weapons and a total of 26 for felony offenses, all of this in the space of roughly five months of patrol duty.

Nominated by his command sergeant as officer of the month in August, October and November, Maedge was further recognized the same evening with the Fairview Heights Police Department’s top Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Award for his aforementioned 26 felony arrests, these being totally self-initiated as opposed to when an officer is directed by a superior to take such action. To learn about other local recipients of ACE awards, watch future issues of The Tribune.

Captain Charles “CJ” Beyersdorfer presented that award to Maedge and later another one recognizing his efforts to keep local roads and streets safe as a result of the enforcement of driving under the influence laws. Maedge was also one of four local police officers cited by Beyersdorfer for having participated in the United States military service.

Johnson noted that Maedge was a “lateral hire” for the Fairview Heights Police Department, meaning he was selected for the local position after having previous professional experience as a law enforcement officer and did not need to undergo a period of several weeks of academy training in Belleville like those with no such prior background.

Maedge’s work as a police officer in Chesterfield, Missouri, in westernmost St. Louis County included being a recipient of an award from the Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization for his achievements in keeping intoxicated motorists from being behind the wheel of a vehicle.