The Westminster Elks Lodge hosts an annual dinner to honor local firefighters and police that have served above and beyond the call of duty. Two Westminster officers were honored on March 13; Lieutenant Mark Spellman, recently retired from the Westminster Fire Department, and Detective Vaughn Pepper of the Westminster Police Department.

Lieutenant Mark Spellman received the "Firefighter of the Year" award. Mark served the City for 30 years, was an excellent supervisor and mentor, and in 2006 coordinated a Public Protection Classification survey in an effort to upgrade Westminster's Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating. The ISO rating is used by most insurers for underwriting and calculating premiums for industrial, commercial, and residential properties. Thanks to Mark's leadership, the City of Westminster received a Class 3 rating, up from the previous Class 4 rating, in late 2006.

Detective Vaughn Pepper received "Officer of the Year" honors. Vaughn was commended for his outstanding service and devotion to senior citizens. Pepper has been a police officer for 26 years and is the senior liaison officer for the Westminster Police Department. Pepper developed the senior liaison position in 2005 to help address issues that are specific to senior citizens in the community. He is involved in numerous programs such as "Cell Phones for Seniors," where seniors are given cell phones for emergency situations. Vaughn also received the Adams County TRIAD "Officer of the Year" award; TRIAD was established in 1993 by local law enforcement and AARP and focuses on safety and improving the quality of life for seniors.

Also honored were Captain Garry Aranda from Southwest Adams County Fire Protection District and Deputy Larry Medina of the Adams County Sheriff's Department.