Amelia police officer and Marine Corps MP Matt Braden, 26, is being deployed to Iraq for a one-year tour of duty.

In honor of his willingness to serve the United States in this time of war, Lance Corporal Braden was honored by Amelia Mayor Mike Scharf and the Amelia council at the village’s regular meeting Nov. 19.

On behalf of the village, Mayor Scharf, who is a veteran himself, presented Braden with an appreciation plaque, saying that “his willingness to go overseas and fight this war on terror is a sacrifice that we deeply appreciate.”

Braden was born and raised in Withamsville and has lived in Amelia since the age of 12. After graduating from Amelia High School and the Clermont College Police Academy, he joined the Amelia Police Department in 2004.