Prince George's County Police Department honors Joint Base Andrews for Military Appreciation Month

Prince George's County Police Department honors Joint Base Andrews for Military Appreciation Month

Malik Aziz, Prince George's County chief of police, right, presents a gift to U.S. Air Force Col. Todd E. Randolph, 316th Wing and installation commander at Joint Base Andrews, Md., and Chief Master Sgt. Jackson A. Helzer, Command Chief at JB Andrews, during a ceremony at PGPD Headquarter in Upper Marlboro, Md., May 25, 2023. PGPD held the ceremony in honor of Military Appreciation Month and the frequent work that the department does with the base's Security Forces Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daekwon Stith)

Prince George's County Police Department honors Joint Base Andrews for Military Appreciation Month

U.S. Airmen with the 316th Wing at Joint Base Andrews, Md., meet with police officers at the Prince George's County Police Department Headquarters in Upper Marlboro, Md., May 25, 2023. The PGPD held a Military Appreciation Month event to honor the Airmen and recognize their partnership. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daekwon Stith)

Prince George's County Police Department honors Joint Base Andrews for Military Appreciation Month

U.S. Air Force Col. Todd E. Randolph, left, 316th Wing and installation commander at Joint Base Andrews, Md., accepts a gift of appreciation from Malik Aziz, Prince George's County chief of police, during a Military Appreciation Month event at PGPD Headquarters in Upper Marlboro, Md., May 25, 2023. Security Forces Airmen assigned to the 316th Wing frequently work with PGPD during training and operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daekwon Stith)

Prince George's County Police Department honors Joint Base Andrews for Military Appreciation Month

From left, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Zachary Bozell, 316th Security Forces Squadron military working dog trainer, Chief Master Sgt. Jackson A. Helzer, 316th Wing command chief, Col. Todd E. Randolph, 316th Wing and installation commander at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Malik Aziz, Prince George's County chief of police, Col. Michael Morales, 316th Security Forces Group commander, and Tech. Sgt. Amaya, Tech. Sgt. Manuel Amaya, 316th Security Support Squadron combat arms noncommissioned officer in charge, participate in a ceremony at Prince George's County Police Department Headquarters in Upper Marlboro, Md., May 25, 2023. PGPD presented a gift of appreciation as a thank you to military members stationed at JB Andrews and in celebration of Military Appreciation Month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daekwon Stith)

Prince George's County Police Department honors Joint Base Andrews for Military Appreciation Month

Malik Aziz, Prince George's County chief of police, third from right, speaks with 316th Wing Airmen during a Military Appreciation Month event at PGPD Headquarters in Upper Marlboro, Md., May 25, 2023. The PGPD held a Military Appreciation Month event to honor the Airmen and recognize the partnership between the department and the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daekwon Stith)

 316th Wing Defenders and county police gathered at the Prince George's County Police Department Headquarters for a Military Appreciation Month event to honor military members stationed at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, May 25.

“The great relationship we have with JBA and the representatives here today go unmatched,” said Malik Aziz, Prince George’s County chief of police. Aziz spoke about the importance of collaboration between the two organizations and the contributions of the base.

“It means everything to us at Prince George’s County Police Department to recognize the men and women at JBA for their contribution, not just to Prince George’s County, but to the region of DMV, to the nation, and for the installation we have right in our backyard.” 

Col. Todd E. Randolph, 316th Wing and JB Andrews installation commander, accepted a gift presented by the department on behalf of the Air Force. He was joined by the 316th wing command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Jackson A. Helzer, 316th Security Forces Group commander, Col. Michael Morales and other Security Forces members. 

As the event came to a close, Randolph accepted a gift from the police department on behalf of all military members at JBA, including coins that represented each branch of the Department of Defense, signifying the joint environment of JBA.

“I started my career at Andrews over 34 years ago as an Airman, and to come back and be a part of this community again as the installation commander, I feel that I’m a testament to the partnership we’ve had over the decades," said Randolph, while addressing the crowd of police officers. "I want to say thank you for your service and being such a strength for this community." 

“Thank you for what you do to keep our neighborhoods safe and putting your lives on the line every single day for all of us. I think that’s part of our bond that we have because we’re all serving and putting our lives on the line for a greater cause,” Randolph said.