BENTON – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge today awarded the Following Officers:
Cleburne County Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award to Wildlife Officer Briston Gould with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Conway County Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award to Corporal Josh Howard with the Morrilton Police Department.
Independence County Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award to Deputy Jordan Harder and Deputy Bobby Tate with the Independence County Sheriff’s Office.
Izard County Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award to Sergeant Kyle Moody with the Arkansas Department of Correction.
Searcy County Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award to Sex Offender Coordinator Cari Seaton with the Searcy County Sheriff’s Office.
Sharp County Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award to Trooper First Class Darren Bates with Arkansas State Police.
Stone County Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award to Corporal Chad Cruce with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Van Buren County Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award to Lieutenant Charles Shaw with the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.
Rutledge presented the county winners at the annual awards and recognition luncheon during the 2020 Officer of the Year luncheon at the Benton Event Center.
“It’s my honor to recognize our law enforcement officers from around the state for their dedication to protecting Arkansans,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Every day, these brave men and women leave their families without knowing if they will safely return home. Today’s recipients have gone above and beyond for all of us and we are grateful for their dedication and sacrifice.”
In addition to the statewide and regional Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year awards, Rutledge recognized an Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer winner from counties around the State. Recipients were selected based on recommendations for their dedicated service to Arkansans and can hold law enforcement positions at a college or university, municipal, county, federal or State level. Nominations were provided to Attorney General Rutledge from police chiefs, county sheriffs, county judges, mayors, prosecutors and other State law enforcement leaders from across Arkansas.
A photo of the winning recipients with Attorney General Rutledge will be available from the press office after February 5 and can be obtained by contacting Stephanie Sharp at Stephanie.Sharp@arkansasag.gov.
