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Evan Sam, JCSO -
Sheldon Reid, Sour Lake PD -
Sgt. Blake Brewer, HCSO -
Tyler Martin, DPS -
Eryn Fair, Port Arthur PD -
Wayln Thompson, JC DAO -
Game Warden Mark Nelson Jr. -
Officer Lari Navarro, Bridge City PD
More than 20 officers and several agencies were presented awards during the annual Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Law Enforcement Recognition Banquet on Dec. 7 at the Rockin’ A Cafe in Beaumont. Crime Service Specialist Casie Harris of the MADD Southeast Texas and Beaumont Chapter said the group is honored to recognize the hard work of the men and women who protect the public by watching and removing intoxicated drivers from roadways.
“They risk their own lives daily to protect our local communities and rarely get any recognition,” Harris said. “Every impaired driver taken off the road is potentially a life saved.”
Harris stated the MADD Hero Award is given to a law enforcement officer that has established a strong commitment to MADD’s mission within the local community, diligence in DWI arrests, and an outstanding record of DWI arrests. This year’s winners included Deputy Bertha Alamzan, Chambers County Sheriff’s Office; Deputy Marshal Kyle Dotson, Groves Police Department; Sgt. Blake Brewer and Deputy Sheriff Kirk Leonard, Hardin County SO; Deputies Barrett Besser and Evan Sam, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; Sgt. Kenneth Aydelotte and Officer Samuel Jones, Lumberton PD; Officer Adrian Figueroa and Sgt. Marty Riley, Port Neches PD; Troopers Jesse B. Bodiford, Tyler Martin, Andrew Robbins, Luke Smith and Robert S. Wilson, Texas Department of Public Safety; and Game Warden Mark Nelson Jr., Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
This was the first year MADD presented the Outstanding Rookie Award, according to Harris, awarded to four officers that have established a strong commitment to MADD’s mission during their first year of service. The inaugural recipients include Sgt. Mike Lucia, Bridge City PD; Deputy Marshal Justin Justice, Groves PD; and Officers Devan Campbell and Sheldon Reid, Sour Lake PD.
“I was excited to recognize these officers and hope this inspires them to continue giving DWIs the importance they deserve to keep our streets safe,” Harris added.
According to Harris, the Outstanding Agency Award is given to an agency that is making a difference by going above and beyond in the area(s) of education, prevention, policy, enforcement, or prosecution, and whose efforts are making an impact in reducing alcohol-related death and injury on Texas’ roads. Agencies recognized for their “outstanding” marks were the Hardin County District Attorney’s Office, Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department-Beaumont Law Enforcement District.
Bridget Hlavinka of the Texas Department of Transportation was presented the Outstanding Community Partner Award.
The Outstanding Service Award, given to an officer who has made a difference in the last year by going above and beyond in the area(s) of education, prevention, policy, or enforcement, were presented to Sgt. Mike Lucia and Officer Lari Navarro, Bridge City PD; Officers Grayson Fanette and Dylan Weeks, Nederland PD; and Officer Eryn Fair, Port Arthur PD.
Wayln Thompson, assistant district attorney for the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, was presented the Prosecutor Service Award, given to the prosecutor that has shown dedication to working in the trenches to save lives on local roadways through their prosecution of drunk or impaired drivers.
“The fight against DWI takes so many people — from law enforcement, district attorney’s offices and community partners,” said Harris. “With each person doing their part, we are combating the fight against DWI in hopes to see a future of no more victims.”