Lewes honors veteran police officer
Lewes Mayor and City Council recognized Lewes Police Lt. Jim Azato with the Elaine Bisbee Award for his service to the city.
The 20-year veteran employee was surprised with the honor at the March 11 council meeting. His family was there to congratulate him.
“I want to thank everybody for their consideration,” he said. “A lot of employees put a lot of hard work into the city. I’d like to thank [council] for appreciating employees here.”
Azato was nominated by his colleagues. Mayor and city council chose him from a list of several nominees.
Lewes Police Chief Tom Spell said Azato is a true professional who cares about the community.
“Jim’s great work and service to our city often goes unnoticed by our citizens,” Spell said. “Rest assured, it does not go unnoticed by me, the police department or city staff.”
“This goes to the culture that we’re seeing with the team you and the chief have,” said Mayor Andrew Williams. “So, I think this is a reflection of the department and the leadership that you bring.”
Azato’s name will now be added to a plaque with previous winners that hangs in city hall.
The award's namesake, Elaine Bisbee, worked with the City of Lewes for 35 years, working her way from secretary to city manager, a position she held for 22 years before retiring in March 2006.
Bill Shull has been covering Lewes for the Cape Gazette since 2023. He comes to the world of print journalism after 40 years in TV news. Bill has worked in his hometown of Philadelphia, as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He came to Lewes in 2014 to help launch WRDE-TV. Bill served as WRDE’s news director for more than eight years, working in Lewes and Milton. He is a 1986 graduate of Penn State University. Bill is an avid aviation and wildlife photographer, and a big Penn State football, Eagles, Phillies and PGA Tour golf fan. Bill, his wife Jill and their rescue cat, Lucky, live in Rehoboth Beach.
