Surf City Exchange Club Honors Police Officer & Firefighter of the Year

Congratulations Police Officer Matt Mulvihill and Firefighter Captain Cody Muhly. Last weekend, the Surf City Exchange Club hosted the 2015 Blue & Gold Award Banquet for police officers and firefighters to honor the Police Officer of the Year and the Firefighter of the Year.

Officer Matt Mulvihill earned this distinguished recognition for the Santa Cruz Police Department. The award recognizes exceptional and outstanding performance above and beyond the normal scope of the profession.

SCPD fellow officers describe him as “the officer you want patrolling your neighborhood.” His strong work habits and professional skills made him a standout. His coworker s also said “Mulvihill is not going to like the attention of being honored. But, he’s a great guy and deserves the award”.

Officer Matt Mulvihill always knew growing up he’d extend the long generational line of Mulvihill cops in the noble Irish-American tradition. He graduated from the State University in New York, Brockport with a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal justice. Officer Mulvihill was hired with the Santa Cruz Police Department in 2002.

His proficiency in crime scene investigations, DUI enforcement, and vehicle theft recoveries has earned him numerous awards, including eight certificates of recognition for crime scene processing, a pin honoring 10 DUI arrests in 2008, the CHP Master 10851 Award-Blue honoring his recovery of 112 stolen vehicles valued in excess of $550,000.

Officer Mulvihill and Firefighter Captain Muhly, have more than this award and the respect from their peers in common. Both were also honored by The American Red Cross Rescue Professional Hero Award. Officer Mulvihill was commended for skillfully working with Santa Cruz Firefighters to rescue a woman attempting to jump from a six-story building.

When Officer Mulvihill isn’t recovering stolen cars or accepting awards, can be found salt water fishing, kayaking, and generally enjoying our little slice of paradise. He is very grateful his SCPD team nominated him for this prestigious honor. Congratulations Officer Matthew Mulvihill Police Officer of the Year 2015.

Thank you to the Surf City Exchange Club for hosting and presenting the Blue and Gold Award Banquet. First Responders in our community are honored by the support this fine organization. 

The Surf City Exchange Club of Santa Cruz motto is “Working Together to Make Our Community a Better Place to Live.”