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GUILFORD, Maine — A former deputy sheriff who served the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department for 40 years was among several people recognized by Sheriff John Goggin at a gathering Thursday at Ava’s Restaurant.

At the breakfast ceremony, Paul Ruksznis was awarded a plaque for his dedicated years of service, starting in 1968 when he began as a part-time deputy. Ruksznis, who is retired, served as a court and civil process server for the department.

It was Ruksznis who had approached Goggin about coming to work for the late Sheriff Frank Murch. Goggin said he applied for patrol coverage of the Guilford area on the weekends and found he enjoyed it so much he became a full-time officer for the department, later becoming elected as sheriff.

Lt. Robert Young and Anita Pushor, administrative assistant to the department, both were presented plaques in recognition of the development of the North Maine Woods Bulletin, a monthly newsletter for law enforcement that outlines cases, suspects and other police information relating to Piscataquis County and neighboring towns.

“It has really enhanced our investigative [ability] and our knowledge of what’s happening in the region,” Goggin said. He said the concept and the resulting bulletins went well above and beyond the normal duties of Young and Pushor.

Investigator James Kane was given a plaque in recognition of his professionalism during a domestic assault on April 4 during which an armed man had barricaded himself inside a Dover-Foxcroft residence. Kane used his communication skills to convince the man to surrender, Goggin said.

For his work as a certified firearms instructor, Investigator Allen Emerson was presented a framed certificate. Emerson instructs personnel within the department and spent 87 hours last year as an instructor at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.

Goggin also recognized Sue McEwen of the Abbot Evangelical Free Church for her work to spearhead the annual Christmas dinner for the Sheriff’s Department. McEwen was presented with a commercial mixer for the church kitchen.

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