The Mehlville Optimist Club recently named St. Louis County Police Department Officer Joseph Brandt the club’s Officer of the Year.

Brandt was honored during the Optimist Club’s recent Respect for Law program.

He has served with distinction since he reported for his first assignment in the Affton Precinct on June 26, 1981, according to a news release.

Brandt served in the Tactical Operations Unit from 1989 to 1994. He then was given the opportunity to be a part of the K-9 Unit the department was developing. For the next 16 years, Brandt and his dogs tracked fleeing suspects, found lost children and made countless drug-related arrests until his last dog was retired in February 2008.

Since then, Brandt has been assigned to the South County Precinct. He continues to serve this community with the same exuberance as he did when he first hit the streets out of the Police Academy, the release stated.

In the past year, Brandt has made more than 125 felony and misdemeanor arrests resulting in the clearance of more than 150 crimes. He has taken the time to respond to the concerns of the community, resulting in more than 900 traffic citations.