By BOB GIBBINS
TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — For several years, the Tahlequah Elks Lodge has honored local law enforcement officers for their service to the community with an appreciation dinner.
The tradition continued Thursday night in Tahlequah. Agencies were contacted ahead of time and asked to select their top personnel. Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission Ranger Mike Moore was given the task of picking the full-time and seasonal rangers of the year.
“I couldn’t do it [pick one person],” he said. “I’ve seen these guys get yelled at, cussed at, spit on and hit. They do it for the service.”
Moore then announced he selected all of the rangers to receive the OSRC award. Rangers Stephanie Stephens, Gary and Anthony Dotson, Steve Wallace, Randy Jordan and Moore accepted the award.
The rangers issued 400 citations and made 162 arrests during the busy summer months, Moore said.
State Rep. Mike Brown, a special guest at the event, said he just returned from the capitol and wanted the officers to know the police pension fund is one of the most sound funds at this time. He said other agencies such as sheriff’s deputies and others are trying to tie on to the fund and he believes a workable solution can be found.
County law enforcement officers are not part of the police pension fund at this time. Their retirement is offered through the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System.
In addition to the rangers, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Joseph Couch was chosen Trooper of the Year from the troopers working in Cherokee County. Couch’s award was presented by Kelli Macario, exalted ruler of the Tahlequah Elks Lodge.
Police Chief Steve Farmer said Kay Cordray, a 22-year employee, was selected TPD dispatcher of the year. Farmer said Cordray is always there to help put and make sure things are running well.
Sgt. Leland Hamner was selected for the TPD officer of the year. He was promoted to sergeant approximately a year ago and works on special emphasis and special projects as well as teaching DARE.
Jordan’s first honor of the evening was as the TPD reserve officer of the year. Farmer said Jordan has given a lot of time for the department and also works as a school resource officer in the schools and has been a good fit in that position.
Undersheriff Jason Chennault announced Theresa Alberty as the CCSO dispatcher of the year. She has more than 20 years experience and worked as a medic before switching to dispatch. He also said Alberty trained him to be a dispatcher early in his law enforcement career.
Deputy Tommy Moore was honored as the CCSO deputy of the year for his effort as the third shift supervisor, a job Chennault said Moore was given when he joined the department two years ago. His duties include training younger deputies who are put on the shift early in their careers. Chennault said Moore does a good job.
Reserve Deputy of the Year Jim Burton’s plaque was presented by Investigator Bob Sanders, whose duties include heading the reserve deputy program.
Burton has logged several hundred hours and is always willing to come out and work and take prisoner transports. He was a police chief in Cheyenne and also worked at the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office.
911 Coordinator Darryl Maggard presented Dani Cole with a special award for all the work she does with the 911 program in addition to her service with Cherokee Nation EMS. Maggard said she has volunteered a lot of time helping with a quality assurance program implemented by the local 911 office.
Brian Catcher was announced as Cherokee Nation marshal of the year, but no one from the marshal service attended the event.
