GREENFIELD — Detective Sgt. Justin Mattke of the Greenfield Police Department has been awarded the prestigious 40 Under 40 Award by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), recognizing his exemplary leadership and dedication to law enforcement.
Mattke’s journey in policing began at the age of 14 as a police explorer, igniting a passion for helping people and engaging with his community. His commitment to fostering a culture of learning and empowerment has been evident throughout his career.
Before joining the Greenfield Police Department in 2017, Mattke — a veteran of the U.S. Army — was instrumental at the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, where he spearheaded the creation of a Bakers to Vegas team, generating enthusiasm among team members.
At Greenfield, Mattke has continued to excel, leading the South Monterey County Task Force and participating in the FBI Monterey Gang Unit and the DEA Gang and Narcotics Task Force.
“Mattke’s role as the lead liaison on two federal task forces also underscores his proactive approach to community safety,” according to his bio on the IACP website. “By leveraging federal resources and forging strategic partnerships, he brought federal police operations to historically underserved areas. He also helped provide opportunities for his colleagues to train and participate in complex federal investigations.”
Earlier this year, Mattke was honored with the Medal of Meritorious Service for his leadership in a juvenile homicide investigation, inspiring his entire investigation unit to exceed expectations. His accolades also include a Life-Saving Award in 2009 and the Officer of the Year Award for the City of Greenfield in 2017.
Greenfield Police Chief Guillermo Mixer praised Mattke’s achievements.
“We are proud that Detective Sergeant Justin Mattke earned this distinguished award and was recognized by the IACP,” Mixer stated. “It is an honor and pleasure to have watched him develop his leadership skills and apply them to better our department and our community.”
In expressing his gratitude, Mattke noted, “This recognition is not just a personal milestone but a testament to the collective effort of my colleagues at the Greenfield Police Department and our community partners. … This award motivates me to continue striving for excellence and to further enhance our collaborative efforts. I look forward to representing Greenfield in Boston this October and hope to bring back insights and inspiration that can benefit our community even more.”
Mattke will travel to Boston this October to accept the award at the IACP’s annual convention.
“We are confident that his continued leadership will further benefit our department and community, and we look forward to his future achievements,” Mixer said. “Please join us in congratulating Detective Sergeant Mattke on this remarkable accomplishment, which reflects the excellence and professionalism of the Greenfield Police Department.”
