May 2026 Officer of the Month

Congratulations to Officer John Pedigo for being selected as the Officer of the Month for May 2026!

An Army veteran, Officer Pedigo joined the UNC Charlotte Police Department in February 2024, and has quickly established himself as a dependable and highly-capable member of the department. He consistently arrives early for his shifts, prepared and motivated to serve, demonstrating a strong work ethic and unwavering commitment to his responsibilities.

Officer Pedigo takes great pride in his law enforcement career and is committed to continuous professional development. In addition to his daily duties, he is actively pursuing college coursework to further his education while working toward advancement within the department. His dedication to personal and professional growth reflects the qualities of a future leader.

A recent example of Officer Pedigo’s initiative and attention to detail occurred during the early morning hours of April 30. While exiting a campus building, Officer Pedigo observed an individual igniting what appeared to be a marijuana cigarette near the building entrance and immediately detected the odor of marijuana. As the individual began walking away, Officer Pedigo initiated contact and observed the individual discard the still-burning cigarette. Through his observations, training and investigative skills, Officer Pedigo successfully identified the individual, recovered the evidence and conducted a thorough investigation. Subsequent testing confirmed the presence of THC, resulting in the issuance of a state citation for possession of marijuana and a no-trespass order from all UNC Charlotte property.

While the incident may appear routine, it serves as an excellent example of Officer Pedigo’s vigilance, proactive policing and commitment to maintaining a safe campus environment. His keen observational skills, sound judgment and thorough understanding of the law allowed him to address the violation professionally and effectively.

Officer Pedigo is a well-rounded and dependable officer who is a tremendous asset to this department. He is always willing to assist fellow officers, consistently demonstrates professionalism in his interactions and approaches each day with a desire to learn and improve. His positive attitude, strong work ethic and commitment to serving others have earned the respect of his peers and supervisors alike.

This marks the second time Officer Pedigo has received this honor and reflects his continued dedication, professionalism and commitment to excellence in service to the UNC Charlotte community. With this achievement, he is eligible for consideration for the Officer of the Year Award.

Congratulations to Officer John Pedigo on this well-deserved award!