Rutherford County CrimeStoppers held its annual "Officer of the Year Banquet" Monday (7/16/2012) at the Smyrna Town Centre.
CrimeStoppers' Chairman Mike Gentry opened the celebraton that acknowledges the great service the different law enforcement agencies do for this community. Then board member and Banquet Co-Chairman Charlie Montgomery honored the "Officers of the Year".
Trooper Mike Cummins received the "CrimeStopper's Officer of the Year" award for the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Not only is he devoted to stopping drunk drivers, but last year Cummins issued more DUI citations than any other trooper.
Detective Sedric Fields was the recipient for the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office. This undercover agent seized more narcotics than any other officer this past year. He is devoted to getting drugs off local streets.
Officer Bobby Edwards with the Murfreesboro Police Department was honored. On November 28, 2011, he saved the life of a 13-month old infant being held by a drug inflicted parent who was threatening to break the infant's neck.
Officer Jon Elston was the selection for the Smyrna Police Department. His goal is to reduce traffic crashes through aggressive and yet professional enforcement. He is obviously doing both. Last year, Officer Elston gave out 900 citations and made 142 arrests, but did not receive any complaints.
Officer Steve Crotts earned the honor for the La Vergne Police Department. He answered a domestic violence call for help where a woman had an order of protection. When he arrived, the female was injured and bleeding. Officer Crotts administered first aid, stopped the loss of blood and is credited with saving the victim's life.
Officer Jason Myatt was "CrimeStopper's Officer of the Year" at the MTSU Department of Public Safety. He came across an unconscious female at the university, and did CPR on the woman until paramedics arrived.
CrimeStopper's Coordinator and Murfreesboro Police Major Clyde Adkison said, "Not only do the different law enforcement agencies work well together, but the citizens are an integral part of this crime reduction team as well."
Major Adkison explained that the public sees and hears things that could help to get criminals off the streets. "They simply phone CrimeStoppers with a tip on a crime. They receive an ID number. and the police never know their name." Rewards are issued in cash, so the names are not needed for checks. He said, "Up to $1,000 cash is given if the tip leads to an arrest and conviction."
Major Adkison also noted that another reason was obvious why CrimeStoppers has been so successful in Rutherford County. He said, "Look around the room and you will see the highest ranking officers with every agency in this county. They are behind the program, and their support and leadership makes all the difference."
THP Roadblocks
Tennessee Highway Patrol Lieutenant Jack Vaughn told how the troopers set-up roadblocks throughout the year to check for motorists who are driving without a license or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Vaughn explained, "By law we must let the public know in advance when and where the roadbocks will be located."
He noted that in his years of service with the THP, he has never had this phase of his job so easy. Lieutenant Vaughn complimented how WGNS' Scott Walker has helped so much during his two-years of being stationed here in Rutherford County. Below Photo (L-R): Crimestopper's Board Member Charlie Montgomery; WGNS' Bart Walker; and Crimestopper's Chairman Mike Gentry.