HILLSBOROUGH — Police Cpl. Ian Cantrell is the 2025 Officer of the Year for the Hillsborough Police Department.

Cantrell was honored at the department’s annual dinner Thursday.

Each year, Hillsborough police officers choose one peer to recognize for going above and beyond. Other criteria include being dependable, proactive, knowledgeable and a good team player.

“Cpl. Cantrell has been an outstanding team member, and his selection by his peers is well deserved,” Police Chief Jason Winn said. “He’s excelled in traffic and narcotics work and made arrests of those who needed to be arrested. He’s a person who people go to for information. He has also served as a canine officer in the past and has a lot to share and offer.”

The corporal was additionally recognized with the department’s lifesaving award for his response last month to a medical emergency at a local business. Using an automated external defibrillator, Cantrell resuscitated an adult in cardiac arrest who was not breathing and had no detectable pulse.

As the first responding unit, Cantrell quickly retrieved the portable medical device from his vehicle and began life-saving measures. The device can analyze heart rhythms and provide an electric shock to try to normalize the rhythm. Following care from Cantrell and first responders from Orange County Emergency Services, the individual’s breathing and pulse were restored.

“This is exactly why we equip our officers and vehicles,” Capt. Charles White said. “When seconds matter, having an AED immediately on scene can be the difference between life and death. We’re proud of Cpl. Cantrell’s swift, professional response and the teamwork that helped save a life.”

The Police Department equips all patrol vehicles with the medical devices, with many of the devices donated by local businesses.

“We are grateful for our business community’s continued support,” the police chief said. “Their investments in public safety directly impact our neighbors’ lives.”

Cantrell joined the department in January from the Durham County Sheriff’s Office. He helps lead a squad of patrol officers, serving as acting supervisor on those shifts. He is also a field training officer for new hires.