By KENNETH HART
LEXINGTON — A number of northeastern Kentucky law-enforcement officers were among those honored Wednesday for having the most drunk-driving arrests in their respective agencies.
One area officer, a Johnson County sheriff’s deputy, was also among the leaders in his agency’s division.
Deputy James D. Preston placed second in Division 1 — agencies with one to 10 sworn officers — with 58 DUI arrests, according to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
A total of 192 officers from 170 agencies were recognized at the 2009 Governor’s Impaired Driving Awards ceremony at the Embassy Suites hotel.
“Impaired driving is one of America’s most-often committed and deadliest crimes,” said Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo, who presented the awards at the ceremony. “These officers, their departments and agencies render a great service for public safety by removing these dangerous drivers from our roads.”
Last year, there were more than 5,000 alcohol related traffic accidents in Kentucky, resulting in 160 deaths and more than 2,700 injuries.
“Our law enforcement is making a difference, as our alcohol-related fatalities decreased last year compared to 2007,” said Mike Hancock, acting Kentucky transportation secretary. “However, there is still a great deal of work to be done. One fatality is too many.”
Other area officers recognized at the ceremony were: Officer Joshua Johnson, Ashland Police Department, 58 arrests (299 agency arrests); Deputy Jeff McMonigal, Boyd County Sheriff’s Department, 52 arrests (158 agency arrests); Patrolman Chris Castle, Flatwoods Police Department, 19 arrests (45 agency arrests); Sgt. Tony Cantrell, Grayson Police Department, 47 arrests (91 agency arrests).
Trooper Jonathan C. Sizemore, Kentucky State Post 8 (Morehead) 53 arrests (537 agency arrests); Trooper Shane Goodall, KSP Post 14 (Ashland), 58 arrests (316 agency arrests); Deputy Brent Pack, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, 37 arrests (120 agency arrests); Patrolman Mason Keefer, Louisa Police Department, 12 arrests (67 agency arrests); Officer Derek M. Howard, Morehead Police Department, 33 arrests (139 agency arrests).
Officer Steven Joe Porter, Morehead State University Police Department, 35 arrests (52 agency arrests); Sgt. Bruce Palmer, Olive Hill Police Department, 16 arrests (31 agency arrests); Deputy Donnie Hall Jr., Rowan County Sheriff’s Department, eight arrests (14 agency arrests); Patrolman Eugene Osborne, Russell Police Department, 22 arrests (48 agency arrests); Patrolman Ryan Hull, Vanceburg Police Department, nine arrests (15 agency arrests).
KENNETH HART can be reached at khart@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2654.
