Tubb earns Missouri Peace Officer year award

Poplar Bluff Police Patrolman Zachary Tubb received the Peace Officer of the Year Award for Missouri during the National Night Out Tuesday at the housing authority, 302 N. E St.

Roughly 250-275 attended to see one of their favorite officers honored, enjoy an evening of dancing in the streets and tasty food provided by the Bread Shed.

Tubb said, he was “tremendously honored not just about the award,” but the housing authority who “made this award easy because of their diligence, which makes it easy to go above and beyond.”

In nominating Tubb, who has been with the PBPD since 2015, Housing Authority Executive Director Darrin J. Taylor said, “Officer Tubb is a respected member of the community. He is one of many officers assigned to patrol the Poplar Bluff Housing Authority. From answering disturbance calls to responding to accidents and incidents, to solving crimes and protecting the community, officer Tubb demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to the Poplar Bluff Police Department as well as to the residents in Poplar Bluff.”

The award was given by the Missouri National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials.

Taylor described Tubb as a “highly motivated, proactive police officer; but balances this with a friendly, outgoing demeanor. Community policing comes naturally to Tubb.”

Tubb is one of the first officers the PBPD turns to when there is a need for someone to represent the Poplar Bluff Police Department, Taylor said.

“He works tirelessly every day to make our community a safe place to live,” he said.

The nominating letter describes him as “always ready to lend a helping hand. When he is patrolling the Poplar Bluff Housing Authority Property, he continually keeps an eye out for anyone in need. He lends a hand helping residents carry in their groceries, offers assistance to those struggling to get around in their wheelchairs, to sitting and having conversation with our elderly residents before COVID-19. He loves hearing the stories the elderly residents talk about their family, the good ole days, to the fish that got away. Tubb has become a confidant to so many of our elderly residents and they are comfortable talking to him about their concerns or needs.”

Taylor said, “Tubb excels at knowing and recognizing the people within our community. He can immediately recognize and relate with people throughout our community. Having his skill and knowledge base allows him to immediately recognize people with warrants, suspicious behavior, potential criminal and drug activity to keep not only the public housing residents (safe) but for all residents in Poplar Bluff. Officer Tubb maintains a level of exceptional work.”

“He is an exceptional police officer, a huge asset to the Poplar Bluff Housing Authority and the police department and is so deserving of this award and recognition,” Taylor added.

Poplar Bluff Deputy Police Chief Mike McClain echoed Taylor’s comments by saying, “This award showcases the quality of work that our residents receive every day from Patrolman Tubb. Additionally, the award highlights Tubb’s distinct pattern of community service.”

Continuing, McClain said, “The department is very proud of officer Tubb and we thank him for his work ethic, dedication and integrity.”

City Manager Matt Winters said, “It is exciting to see the hard work and dedication to service that Patrolman Tubb exhibits be recognized. I am proud of his service to the Poplar Bluff Housing Authority and its residents and to the community as a whole.”

Tubb’s wife, Larra, their daughter Brinley, 3, and 3-month-old son, Beckett, came to see him honored.

Tammy Harper with the housing authority said, the agency “received a huge response from the community. All the sponsors were very gracious in donating door prizes. Local sponsors were First Midwest Bank, Morse Harwell Jiles Insurance, Eastside Pharmacy and Bank of Missouri, just to name a few, and the national sponsors of NNO that participated in our NNO were Starbucks and Academy Sports+Outdoors.”

The community-wide event included games and activities for children and adults and food, along with visits from the local law enforcement, firefighters and other first responders.