Officer Ryan Holobaugh of the Murfreesboro Police Department has been named STARS award recipient for July 2015. Vice-Mayor Doug Young recognized Holobaugh during the July 9, 2015, meeting of the Murfreesboro City Council with the STARS award for Outstanding Performance in "Succeeding Through Attitudes Reflecting Service Excellence."

Officer Holobaugh has served the City and the Murfreesboro Police Department as an officer since April 2006 and was recognized for his outstanding work as a K-9 officer for the Department. Officer Holobaugh was nominated by Dispatcher Amber Smith.

"Officer Holobaugh has the heart of a public servant," said Murfreesboro Police Chief Glenn Chrisman. "We are proud of his efforts to make Murfreesboro a safe community and for his dedication to public service."

In the nomination, the following narrative explanation was provided: "On May 20, 2015, Officer Holobaugh was en route to K-9 training on the interstate and came upon a motor vehicle crash with injuries. One of the vehicles had flames coming from the engine. Officer Holobaugh put out the fire with his extinguisher and pulled the two occupants out of the vehicle and stayed with them until other agencies got on the scene and took over. This shows great commitment to assist others in difficult times and should not go unnoticed. Officer Holobaugh is certainly a credit to the profession and to our agency."

In November 2013, Officer Holobaugh received commendation for his leadership in the 27th Citizens Police Academy in which participants expressed appreciation for his "deep personal commitment to the profession" and his "absolute devotion" in "keeping our city safe."

In December 2011, Officer Holobaugh was among a team of officers and detectives commended for the apprehension of a burglary suspect involved in taking several items from Roses Department Store on November 21, 2011. In May 2011, Officer Holobaugh was commended for his "persistence and caring attitude in making a difference" as part of the Leadership Rutherford Ride-a-Long program.

The STARS Service Excellence program is intended to recognize outstanding employees who embody the city's standards for service excellence and exemplify the city's core service values. The purpose of the STARS award is to recognize and reward those employees who go above and beyond their normal job duties in providing outstanding customer service to internal and external customers.