HELENA, Mont. – Helena Police Department Chief Brett Petty, was awarded a Department of Defense Patriot Award in recognition of extraordinary support of his employee serving in the United States Army Reserve 1st Lt. Vittorio Ottanelli.
The award was presented by Montana Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve volunteers vice chair Tim Fox and Volunteer Mike Talia at a Helena City Commission meeting. The Patriot Award was developed by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, to publicly recognize civilian employers who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their civilian employees serving in the guard or reserve. Without supportive employers, the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units cannot be maintained. Ottanelli’s nomination reads, “The Helena Police Department has gone above and beyond to accommodate me with my military obligations. I have never felt as if my military service is a burden on the police department as they bend over backwards to accommodate me while on orders. I am proud to serve my country and working for the Helena Police Department has made me proud to serve my community and city. This is a wonderful employer to work for and I recommend any veteran working for local law enforcement.” Congratulations Chief Petty for being a supportive civilian employer of our Montana Guard and Reserve. You provide a valuable service to our country by hiring our Montana Guard and Reserve members. ESGR is celebrating 50 years of working to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. For more information about ESGR outreach programs, call (800) 336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil. Photo: United States Army Reserve 1st Lt. Vittorio Ottanelli, far left, looks on as Helena Police Chief Brett Petty receives a Department of Defense Patriot Award presented on his behalf from Montana Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Tim Fox.