2026 AJA Award Recipients
Francis R. "Dick" Ford Distinguished Service Award
Jeff Easter
Sheriff
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office
Wichita, Kansas
Presented by:
Valor Award
Charles Watley
CFC - Custody and Security
Charles County Sheriff's Office
La Plata, Maryland
Sponsor:
Valor Award
Andrew Hunt
Sergeant
Charles County Sheriff's Office
La Plata, Maryland
Sponsor:
Innovation Award - Large Jail
John E. Polk Correctional Facility
Inmate Programs Team
Seminole County Sheriff's Office
Sandford, Florida
Sponsor:
Innovation Award - Medium Jail
Harford County Sheriff's Office
Bel Air, Maryland
Sponsor:
Correctional Administrator of the Year Award
Raymond Sanchez
Assistant Deputy Warden of Custody Management
New York City Department of Correction
East Elmhurst, New York
Sponsor:
Correctional Supervisor of the Year Award
Lea Henderson
Captain
Jackson County Sheriff's Office Detention Center
Kansas City, Missouri
Sponsor:
Correctional Training Officer of the Year Award
Katie Sanduski
Lieutenant
Douglas County Department of Corrections
Omaha, Nebraska
Sponsor:
Correctional Officer of the Year Award
Eric Dietrich
Detention Deputy
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office
Wichita, Kansas
Sponsor:
Civilian Employee of the Year Award
Juan Benitez
Certified Lead Facilities Tech
Seminole County Sheriff's Office
Sanford, Florida
Sponsor:
Volunteer of the Year Award
Victor Williams
CEO/Founder
Quest2Freedom
Miami, Florida
Sponsor: