Owensboro’s Jeff Hendricks has been awarded the prestigious Order of the Marechaussee, one of the highest honors bestowed upon a Military Policeman (MP) in the Military Police Regimental Association.
Hendricks is a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves with more than 30 years of service. He served as the Provost Marshal/Emergency Services Director for the Kentucky National Guard’s Garrison Training Command-KY, Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville from 2010-2015. In addition, he was deployed and served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Guantanamo Bay and Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.
The award was named after the Marechaussee Corps, formed in 1778 at Valley Forge by General George Washington to police the Army and secure fugitives. The award was officially established in 2000 to recognize exceptional dedication, competence, and contribution to the Military Police Corps Regiment over an extended period of time.
To be eligible, an MP must have rendered 10 years of significant service or support to more than one element of the MP Regiment. Only 10% of the soldiers that are nominated are awarded the Order of the Marechaussee.
There are three categories of the Order of the Marechaussee: gold, silver, and bronze. Hendricks was awarded the bronze medal indicating that the nomination was by an MPRA MP Colonel or higher, and the Commandant of the Military Police Corps approved the award.
“Being recognized by one’s peers in a profession of professionals such as the Military Police is one of the highest honors anyone can receive,” Hendricks said. “I have always tried to lead by example and set the next generation of leaders up for success. Being nominated and then selected into the Order of the Marechaussee by the members of MP Corps Regiment means that I must have done my job well.”
Hendricks has more than 26 years of safety, security, and emergency management experience, including serving with the Daviess County Detention Center and the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office.
He is currently Owensboro Community & Technical College’s Director of Public Safety. He started at OCTC in 2016 and helped guide the college from a team of three part-time Public Safety Officers (PSO) to three full-time and three part-time PSOs covering three local campuses and events.
“We are so excited that Jeff has received this honor. He is most deserving and works tirelessly in all his endeavors,” said OCTC President Dr. Scott Williams. “He truly epitomizes the spirit of the Order of the Marechaussee.”
