A standing-room only crowd filled the mayor's gallery downtown Monday as 19 members of the Louisville Metro Police were promoted.
With just three weeks on the job, Mayor Greg Fischer told the crowd at the promotion ceremony that he believes public safety is one of his most essential responsibilities, but that he does not hold the key to successfully accomplishing that responsibility.
"I know that you all are the ones that get it done each and every day," Fischer said, adding that such ceremonies are the perfect way to recognize good work and express appreciation.
"I don't know what your ratio of thank yous to complaints is, but it's not high enough," Fischer said. "You need more thank yous."
For Matthew Glass, who was promoted to sergeant, the ceremony gave him an opportunity to stop his daily responsibilities and be proud of himself for a moment.
"Every day it's about serving," Glass said. "It's kind of nice that today we get to move up and it's about us."
During the ceremony, which included promotions to sergeant, lieutenant, major and lieutenant colonel, the oath of office was read separately for each level.
Police Chief Robert White congratulated his officers, but warned that with higher rank comes higher responsibility for managing patrol officers and preventing crime.
"Your charge is to use (your responsibility) for the good of our community," he said.
Andrea Brown, who was promoted to lieutenant, said she's ready for the challenges of her new position, which will be to work in the community relations unit. Brown spent four years as a division resource officer, working with neighborhood associations.
"I never dreamed I would be a lieutenant," Brown said. "I'm just thrilled."
Josh Judah, who had been a sergeant only since 2009, said he was humbled by the quickness of getting promoted to lieutenant.
"I feel very honored," said Judah, who praised fellow officers who competed for the position.
Officers must take tests in order to be qualified for the sergeant and lieutenant ranks, and then promotions are made from a list of qualified applicants in a competitive process.
Judah will be assigned to the administrative bureau, which he says will give him the opportunity to do something different from what he's been doing in the patrol division.
Seeing her husband, Frank Hardison, promoted to lieutenant filled April Hardison with pride because she knows how much time he spent studying and preparing.
"I'm excited for him. God has really blessed him," she said. "I know he'll do a good job."
Lieutenant Colonel: Kenton Buckner, Ozzy Gibson
Major: Kelly Jones, William Kristofeck, Jeff Wardrip
Lieutenant: Brian Bernardi, Andrea Brown, Frank Hardison, Joshua Judah, Joseph Webb
Sergeant: Todd Brimm, Leigh Burke, Matthew Glass, Michelle Klein, Donnie Masden, Raymond Page, Arnold Rivera, Holly Rogers, Tom Seabolt