The 30th annual Poplar Bluff Elks Lodge Law Enforcement Recognition Banquet Friday evening was a celebration ending with Poplar Bluff Chief of Police Danny Whiteley receiving the top honor of Elks Officer of the Year Award.
Whiteley along with 14 men and women from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Butler County Sheriff's Department, Poplar Bluff Police Department, Probation and Parole, Butler and Ripley counties judiciary circuits, and the Ripley County Sheriff's Office were honored.
"This really means a lot to us, having you all come out here," Elks Exalted Ruler Jim Rushin told the group. "I really appreciate your service."
Past Exalted Ruler Mack Campbell presented the Elks Officer of the Year Award to Whiteley, and commended him on his noble character, a successful family and marriage, and a career filled with many recognitions and honors.
"There is really no one more deserving of this award than Danny Whiteley," Campbell said.
Guest speaker Drew Juden, Missouri's director of public safety, echoed Campbell's words.
"Danny, thank you for your leadership of the Poplar Bluff Police department. Yours is an agency I always knew I could count on when I was in Sikeston."
The former Sikeston Director of Public Safety, Juden spoke to the men and women in attendance and thanked them for their dedication to a job well done.
"You entered what is one of the noblest professions that exists," Juden said. "Law enforcement can be a tough life. You don't go into it for nine to five hours or weekends off and certainly not for the pay."
MSHP Capt. Jeffrey Vitale recognized Thomas Keene with the Communication Employee of the Year Award and presented Emily Westmoreland with the Trooper of the Year Award.
Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs said, "In my eyes, this is a celebration because it means we all came home alive again this year. At least once a year, I get to see everybody and it may be the only time until next year thanks to the Elks."
Dobbs recognized Eryn Crawford as Support Staff of the Year, Marcus Kirby as Corrections Officer of the Year and Travis Huddleston as Communication Officer of the Year. Dobbs then presented the Donwell Clark Deputy of the Year Award to Aaron Pratt.
Whiteley presented the Officer of the Year Award to Billy Duckett, who has been with the police department since 2012. He then presented a new award, the Civilian Employee of the Year Award, to Code Enforcement Officer James Sisk.
Probation and Parole District Administrator James Berry presented the Support Staff of the Year Award to Darrell Davis and the Probation and Parole Officer of the Year Award to Amy Koechner-Talley.
On behalf of the Ripley County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Sheriff Mike Barton presented the Deputy of the Year Award to Joey Bruner and Assistant Prosecutor Kacey Proctor received the Ripley County 36th Judicial Recognition Award.
Judge Michael Pritchett presented the Butler County 36th Judicial Recognition Award to Assistant Prosecutor Paul Oesterreicher for his dedicated and outstanding contributions to the Butler County Prosecutor's Office and to the 36th Judicial Circuit. Upon Pritchett's request, Oesterreicher made an acceptance speech, and during his brief address, he tactfully summed up the purpose of the entire night.
"I'm very grateful for this honor, however, I'd like to thank everyone who doesn't get an award this evening," he said. "It takes everyone working together to ensure a job well done."