Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Park Police Sergeant Katherine (Katie) Cannon has been awarded the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriotic Employer Award. The award was presented by John Kingrey, ESGR Region 7 Co-Chair at the February 19, 2025 MPRB Board of Commissioners meeting. The award recognizes employer support for employees in the National Guard or Military Reserves.
U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sergeant and Park Patrol Agent Kory Southward nominated Sgt. Cannon for the award to recognize her support of Park Patrol Agents who also serve in the Military Reserve or National Guard. Cannon supervises the Park Patrol Agent program.
Sgt. Cannon began her work with the Minneapolis Park Police Department in 2007 as a Park Patrol Agent. In 2008 she was promoted to Park Police Officer. In 2018, she was promoted to Park Police Sergeant and shortly thereafter was assigned to supervise the park patrol agent program. She also provides general patrol supervision on the nightshift and represents the Park Police Department on the MPD Honor Guard.
In 2012, Cannon was awarded the MPD Medal of Valor after she was ambushed and stabbed while responding to a report call on West Minnehaha Parkway.
Sergeant Cannon grew up in Minneapolis and graduated from Edison High School. Prior to her service with the Park Police Department, she served the MPRB as a lifeguard.
Park Patrol Agents are uniformed members of the Department, but not police officers. They are very similar to community service officers in other agencies. Many park patrol agents are aspiring police officers and go on to work in police departments across the State of Minnesota.
“Sgt. Cannon has been an unwavering pillar of support for military reservists, going above and beyond to accommodate their training and deployment schedules,” said Southward. “She has nothing but deep respect for service members. As it is evident in their willingness to adjust workloads, provide flexibility, having the patience and understanding of last-minute changes, and ensure that reservists never have to choose between their duty to their country and their commitment to their job. Through her understanding, Sgt. Cannon has created an environment where military personnel feel truly valued and supported, making a lasting impact on both their careers and their lives.”
Southward is an Army Reservist who is currently an Observer, Coach, and Trainer instructor with the 340th U.S. Army Reserve. Southward served four years in Active duty with the U.S. Marines and six years as an Army Reservist.
“Sgt. Cannon has dedicated her entire professional life to the Minneapolis park system and the people it serves,” said MPRB Park Police Chief Jason Ohotto. “In her role supervising the Park Patrol Agent program, she works closely with many employees who are balancing their service with the National Guard or Reserves. She takes on this responsibility with a caring and thoughtful approach. I’m very proud for her to receive this recognition and award. It is well deserved.”
The ESGR Patriotic Employer Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.
An employee serving in the National Guard or Military Reserve, or the spouse of a National Guard or Military Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors for the Patriotic Employer Award for support provided directly to the nominating service member and his or her family.
ESGR is a Department of Defense office that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. ESGR also provides assistance in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers. This year, ESGR celebrates over 53 years of excellence in support of the Reserve Components and their civilian employers.