POST FALLS - Several employees and volunteers of Post Falls agencies were honored on Friday night during the American Legion's birthday dinner.

Award winners included:

* J.D. Putnam, Police Officer of the Year - Putnam became a school resource officer in 2012 and serves on the Mayor's Youth Awards Committee. He is also a member of the department's Honor Guard and recently became a field training officer.

* Carol Prosser, police Employee of the Year - Prosser, who has worked for PFPD for 22 years, has procured more than $3.5 million in grants for the city. She is a certified evidence technician and earned the Employee of the Year honor three other years.

* Ryan Odegaard, police Volunteer of the Year - Odegaard plans to become a police officer, earned a law enforcement degree at North Idaho College and is a member of PFPD's Volunteers on Patrol Program.

* Sam Schlaich, Educator of the Year - Schlaich, the music director at River City Middle School, has a passion for marching and drill bands. He coordinates a Veterans Day assembly at the school.

* Floyd Moyer, School District Employee of the Year - Moyer recently retired as the school district's in-house suspension facilitator, helping some of the most troubled students.

* Peter Holley, EMT/Paramedic of the Year - Holley has been a paid responder at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue since August 2011. "He has shown an unselfish approach to caring for the citizens of Post Falls and Kootenai County," William Keeley, KCFR EMS Division chief, wrote in a nomination letter.

* Frank Harwood, Firefighter of the Year - Harwood, with KCFR since 2007 is a driver/operator. "He brings professionalism, dedication, enthusiasm, compassion and passion for the fire service every day," wrote KCFR Capt. Rick Clutter.

* Jason Rzepa, Veteran of the Year - Rzepa sustained leg injuries that resulted in a double amputation below his knees while serving with the Idaho Army National Guard in Iraq in 2011. He received the Purple Heart Medal after being injured during an attack.

* Kerri Thoreson, Fourth Estate (media) - Thoreson, former Post Falls Tribune publisher, writes a column for The Press. She is on the air on 1080 ESPN AM (KVNI).

* S. Thatcher Givens, Eagle Scout of the Year - Givens made picnic tables for a church retreat center for his Eagle project.

* Buck Knives, Business of the Year - Chuck Buck received the award for the family-owned business, which assists in the knife project honoring veterans.

* Len Crosby, Legion Volunteer of the Year - Crosby has assisted with the financial situation during leadership changes at the Legion.