While abilities such as marksmanship, quick decision-making and being able to stay calm under pressure are certainly desirable traits for a police officer, there are other intangible elements that allow peacekeepers to succeed at their jobs.

Dedication. Pride. Integrity. Professionalism.

Members of the Dowagiac Police Department say there is one member of the force who demonstrates those qualities each and every day he dons the uniform: James Kusa.

Thursday night, while the veteran officer clutched the trophy that served as the latest reminder of the positive impact he has made during this 30-plus year on the force, Kusa said that these traits come from a lesson he was told by his father.

“You can never know exactly how many lives you have impacted,” Kusa said. “But if you always do the right thing, you will make a difference.”

His fellow officers and officials from Wolverine Mutual Insurance Company honored Kusa for his ability to make a difference that evening, bestowing the officer with Wolverine’s first ever Dowagiac Officer of the Year award.

Kusa was honored alongside Dowagiac firefighter Burton Dodd, who received Wolverine’s 2016 Dowagiac Fireman of the Year award during the insurance company’s 46th annual firefighter award dinner at the Timberline Inn.

The Indian Lake restaurant was packed Thursday evening, with firefighters and police officers and their spouses, along with several Wolverine officials and Dowagiac Mayor Don Lyons.

Kusa was selected for the inaugural Officer of the Year award by his fellow officers at the department. According to Wolverine’s Nick Barnes, who presented the award to Kusa, some of the reasons why Dowagiac officers selected their compatriot was because he was “someone everyone can look up to,” “always works long hours without a complaint,” and “has held more felons accountable than anyone else serving in the county.”

“It’s been a privilege work with all of you through the years,” Kusa said, immediately after accepting the award. “We can, and do, make a difference in our community.”

The officer attributes his success to on the force to always doing the best job he can possibly do. It is something he has also taught his son, James W. Kusa, who also plans on entering law enforcement, Kusa said.

Dodd, a 25-year veteran of the Dowagiac Fire Department and the 2003 Fireman of the Year, was also voted as this year’s top firefighter by his peers. The team said Dodd “gives 100 percent every time he reports,” “shows all the qualities of a great firefighter” and “his commitment is unmatched and his experience is irreplaceable,” Barnes said before giving Dodd the award.

Reflecting on the achievement the following day, Dodd thanked his fellow firefighters for the recognition and said that it takes more than just one person to keeping the department going.

“We are a great group of guys,” Dodd said. “I would gladly put my life on the line for them, and they all do the same for me. I love them to death.”

Dodd, a second-generation firefighter, said that firefighting is simply a part of who he is and is something he does to serve the people of his hometown.

He also thanked his wife, Michelle, for her support over the years, especially after his father, Terry, died in 2010, Dodd said.

“I wanted to give up [firefighting], but she encouraged me to keep doing it,” he said.

The fire department also recognized several firefighters for their years of service to firehouse, including:

• William McGowan, five years

• James Stevens, five years

• Tony Stewart, 20 years

• Robert Nelson, 20 years

• Burton Dodd, 25 years