Police Chief Rick Hickstein was honored Monday night as the City of Chadron Employee of the Year.
Chief Hickstein was one of 6 finalists and was chosen in what Mayor George Klein called “an extremely tight” vote of his fellow city workers.
Hickstein has spent his entire 24-year law enforcement career with Chadron, joining the department in 1999 after earning a criminal justice degree from Chadron State College.
He worked his way up through the ranks and was named chief in April 2021.
His Employee of the Year nomination says that as chief, Hickstein has “demonstrated a tireless pursuit of excellence (and) diligently works toward the procurement of upgraded equipment and technology as well as updates to policies and procedures.”
It says the department’s “environment and culture is one of marked improvement” as he is “supportive of ideas and values everyone’ voice” while taking his role as a leader seriously – believing he works for his people and not taking them for granted.
Three of the other finalists for the award are members of Hickstein’s department: School Resource Officer Derek Bauer, K9 Officer Seth Orsborn, and dispatcher Shannon Langford
The remaining two finalists are water plant operator Sam Brodrick and City Transit head Julie Lawrence.
The City Council also recognized 8 employees for reaching employment milestones, including 5 who’ve completed 5 years with Chadron.
Langford is one of them, as is fellow dispatcher Cassandra Anderson. Katie Parks is the Deputy City Clerk, while Roger Stevens works at the airport and Sharon Thurlow is with the public library.
City Manager Tom Menke was cited for 15 years with Chadron, the first 14 as Utilities Superintendent, while Joe Fry is finishing his 35th year with the Street Department and City Clerk Donna Rust is celebrating a full half-century as a city employee.
The 5-year honorees received certificates with Menke, Fry, and Rust all receiving plaques. Rust’s long tenure was first marked this summer with a plaque permanently on display at City Hall. Last night’s plaque is one she can take home.