Officer Mitch Hardin is always on duty, even when he’s not in uniform.

Recently, the Langley Police Department officer was in Mukilteo with his family having dinner when a fight broke out in the restaurant. He broke up the brawl and subdued one man until officers with the Mukilteo Police Department arrived.

“It was an interesting night,” Hardin said at the Langley City Council meeting Monday night.

“Tables got turned over,” he said later.

Hardin’s actions garnered him an award from acting Police Chief David Marks in the form of the “Meeting the Exceptional Challenge” recognition.

Hardin was hired earlier this year to bolster the city’s police force to three full-time officers and a chief. After former Chief Randy Heston retired this summer, however, the ranks have been limited to two officers and Marks until the city hires a new department head.