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City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Kaylin Martin, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-833-9537 • Fax 952-826-0389 • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Edina Detective receives lifetime achievement award
Edina, Minn., March 28, 2013 – Edina Police Detective Tom McKenzie was presented an Outstanding
Lifetime Achievement Award during the annual Special Operations Training Association (SOTA) Tactical
Training Conference on March 25 in St. Cloud, Minn.
McKenzie was nominated by his peers to receive the distinguished award for his diligence, perseverance and
devotion to duty and work for the Edina SWAT team.
“Tom was a team player,” said Sgt. Scott Kuyper, who served as SWAT team leader during McKenzie’s tenure
with the team. “He always did more than expected, got other members to push themselves and took his role
on the team very seriously.”
McKenzie was on the SWAT team for 10 years before leaving to serve as the tactical liaison for the Edina
Crisis Negotiators in 2005. Soon after, McKenzie also began to serve as the team leader for the Hennepin
County Sheriff’s Department Weapons of Mass Destruction Tactical Team.
“I’m very proud of Tom,” said Kuyper. “I’d be proud of any member of our team, but especially one who has
shown as much loyalty as he has. He’s very deserving of this recognition.”
Formed in 1986, the Edina SWAT team consists of 11 police officers and four paramedics who respond to
high-risk situations when additional service is needed. For more information, visit www.EdinaMN.gov/Police.
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