Bluffton Police’s Lt. Joe Babkiewicz awarded ‘40 under 40’ award

A Bluffton Police Department lieutenant is the recipient of the 2016 International Association of Chiefs of Police “40 under 40” award.

Lt. Joe Babkiewicz was among the 40 law enforcement professionals under the age of 40 from around the world who demonstrate leadership and exemplify commitment to their profession, according to a news release from the police department.

“I was surprised to hear I received the award,” Babkiewicz said. “I didn’t expect it, but I am honored and humbled to receive such recognition from the committee.”

Babkiewicz has been with the department since 2008. He rose to the rank of lieutenant and oversees the Criminal Investigators Division. Before working for the Bluffton department, he was a patrol officer and K-9 handler with the Bloomfield Police Department in Connecticut.

“I can’t express how proud I am of Lt. Babkiewicz for achieving this honor,” Chief Joey Reynolds said. “To be selected of only 40 in the world tells you how lucky we are to have him in Bluffton.”

This story was originally published June 27, 2016 at 2:21 PM with the headline "Bluffton Police’s Lt. Joe Babkiewicz awarded ‘40 under 40’ award."