(LITTLE ROCK) - Drunk driving is one of America’s deadliest crimes. Nearly 13,000 people were killed last year as the result of highway crashes involving impaired drivers with blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of .08 or higher.

As part of the continuing effort in Arkansas to protect motorists, the Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office announced today it will join thousands of other law enforcement and highway safety agencies across the nation through the remainder of this month and in the first days of January 2007 to participate in an aggressive crackdown on impaired drivers.

“Over the past five years 51 people have been killed on Arkansas streets and highways during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday reporting periods and 20 of those deaths involved someone who was impaired by alcohol or drugs,” said Colonel Steve Dozier, Arkansas State Police Director. “If we catch you driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs you will be arrested. No exceptions. No excuses.”

Driving with a BAC of .08 or higher is illegal in most states. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, more than 1.3 million people were arrested during 2005 for driving under the influence.

“Our Arkansas State Troopers, as well as local law enforcement officers, will be conducting sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols through the remainder of the holidays to get more drunk drivers off the road,” Colonel Dozier said. “We want everyone to play it safe and always designate a sober driver or find a safe way home if they have been drinking.”

Since 1981, every President of the United States has demonstrated the commitment to preventing impaired driving by proclaiming December as National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month.

Designating a sober driver and not letting friends drive drunk are just two of many simple steps to help avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for impaired driving. Other important tips include:

• Plan ahead. Whenever you plan to consume alcohol, designate your sober driver before going out and give that person your keys.

• If you’re impaired, call a taxi, use the bus or call a sober friend or family member to get you safely to your destination.

• Promptly report drunk drivers you see on the roadways to a local law enforcement agency.

• Wearing your seat belt or using proper protective gear on your motorcycle is your best defense against an impaired driver.

• Most important, friends don’t let friends drive drunk. If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

“Drunk driving is simply not worth the risk,” Colonel Dozier warned. “Violators will be spending their money on bail, court fines, lawyers and towing fees instead of buying holiday gifts for loved ones. That’s not a great way to end the year. So don’t take the chance.”

For more information visit http://www.StopImpairedDriving.org or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136.

(LITTLE ROCK) - The Arkansas chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) today recognized the enforcement activity of twelve Arkansas State Troopers during the organization's annual Blue Knight Awards program.

Corporal Don Smith, assigned to Troop H, received the distinguished recognition of being the Arkansas State Trooper who accumulated the most DUI and DWI arrests during 2005.

Corporal Ray Siggers was also recognized as being among the top DUI and DWI enforcement officers for the seventh consecutive year.

(LITTLE ROCK) - Three Arkansas State Troopers were awarded Official Commendations and one other was promoted to the rank of sergeant during a regularly scheduled meeting today of the Arkansas State Police Commission.

Corporal Robert Meek, 55, of Harrison, was awarded a Department Official Commendation for his heroism in connection with an April 3rd 2006 traffic stop when he was wounded and exchanged gunfire with a suspect he was attempting to arrest in rural Boone County southeast of Harrison.

Corporal Mike Thomas, 32, of Everton (Boone County) was awarded a Department Official Commendation for his courage, aid to a wounded state trooper, the arrest of two suspects and initiating the search for a third individual. Corporal Thomas arrived at an April 3rd 2006 Boone County incident involving a wounded trooper (see previous paragraph) only a minute after the exchange of gunfire had ceased.

Trooper Matthew Roberson, 27, of Rison (Cleveland County), was awarded a Department Official Commendation for his heroism and guarded use of necessary force relating to a March 12th 2006 incident near Proctor (Crittenden County) as he attempted to disarm a teenager who had attacked a local sheriff’s deputy. Brandishing an ax as Trooper Roberson arrived on the scene, the youth turned his attack on Roberson. Despite repeated orders directed to the youth by Roberson to drop the weapon, the teenager continued to move toward the trooper. Roberson fired his service weapon, striking the youth in his leg.

The Arkansas State Police Commission approved the recommendation of the department’s director, Colonel Steve Dozier to promote Corporal Jeff Thomas, 45, of Texarkana to the rank of sergeant. Sergeant Thomas is an 18 year veteran of the department and will assume duties as a Hempstead County post supervisor.

(LITTLE ROCK) - The Arkansas State Police Commission, meeting today in special session by teleconference, approved the recommendations of State Police Director, Colonel Steve Dozier to promote two veteran State Troopers.

Lieutenant Mark Allen, 49, of Little Rock, currently assigned to the Director’s Staff (Operations) was promoted to the rank of captain and will be assigned to the Highway Patrol Division commander’s office as an executive assistant to Major Ed Wolfe. Captain Allen is a 25 year veteran of the department.

Sergeant Leonard Hogg, 51, of Star City, currently assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop F, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and will be assigned to the Administrative Services Division, Human Resources Section (Little Rock Headquarters). Lieutenant Hogg is a 28 year veteran of the department.

(LITTLE ROCK) - The Arkansas State Troopers working in accord with local police departments and sheriff’s deputies plan to target impaired drivers during the final three weeks of the summer driving season.  Beginning this week (Friday, August 18th), more than 100 city, county and state law enforcement agencies across Arkansas, will initiate a renewed enforcement operation along Arkansas streets and highways aimed at drivers who endanger themselves and others by driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicants.

The enforcement operation will be coordinated under a new promotional campaign entitled, Drunk Driving: Over the Limit - Under Arrest.

  “We have joined forces with local law enforcement officers and as a team we’ll establish sobriety checkpoints and coordinate saturation patrols in an effort to get more drunk drivers off the streets and highways,” said Arkansas State Police Director, Colonel Steve Dozier.  “Our message will be loud and clear for those who choose to become intoxicated and drive, if you are over the limit, you will be arrested.  We urge everyone to drive safely, buckle up and if you have been drinking, always designate a sober driver,” Colonel Dozier said.

During 2004, more than 16,000 people were killed nationwide in highway crashes involving impaired drivers and of that number, 269 of the deaths were on Arkansas streets and highways.

Little Rock Police Chief Stuart Thomas and North Little Rock Police Chief Danny Bradley joined Colonel Dozier along with other area law enforcement officers in a news conference at Arkansas State Police headquarters this morning to outline their combined efforts to crackdown on drunk driving in the weeks leading up to and through the Labor Day holiday.

Chief Thomas said, “Drunk driving is simply not worth the risk.  Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for impaired driving can be significant,” Chief Thomas said.  “Violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, attorney fees, time away from work, and many other expenses.”

  Traffic data shows 39 percent of Arkansas’ crash fatalities in 2004 were alcohol related.

“These victims weren’t simply traffic statistics, rather, they were everyday people who did not come home, and their families have been changed forever,” Colonel Dozier said.

  North Little Rock Police Chief Danny Bradley is touting his department’s new tool designed to help apprehend impaired drivers.  A highly visible sobriety checkpoint trailer is the latest addition to the arsenal of law enforcement personnel and equipment his officers are devoting to enforcement operations aimed at impaired drivers.

“The sobriety checkpoint trailer, purchased with funds from the Arkansas Highway Safety office, is a self-contained unit,” Bradley commented.  “All the equipment an agency needs to establish a checkpoint is in the trailer, including traffic cones, stop signs, checkpoint signs and safety equipment for officers.”  Bradley said.

  Drunk Driving: Over the Limit – Under Arrest is a national impaired driving enforcement campaign organized by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which focuses on combining strategic law enforcement with heightened public awareness through advertising and publicity.

For more information, visit www.stopimpaireddriving.org. or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136.

Additional biographies and photos can be viewed through the Arkansas.Gov link. http://www.arkansas.gov/governor/media/gems/07202006-1.html

“As a youngster, Win Rockefeller was often in the shadow of State Troopers assigned to his father’s security detail and today, as our state’s lieutenant governor, he died with State Troopers, assigned that same protection detail outside his room. He always had the interest of our Troopers at his heart.Privately, he reached-out to help countless lives in our department, men and women who have retired and many who continue to serve as Troopers today.” Win Rockefeller will always be remembered as part of the State Police family.”

“The Arkansas State Police Commission, the commanders of the Arkansas State Police, our troopers and civilian staff all extend our deepest sympathy to the Rockefeller family and join with our state in offering prayers of support in this time of loss. We will forever be indebted to his service, thankful for his time with us and his friendship and will always strive to meet his impeccable standards of public service.”

Lieutenant Governor Rockefeller lived in Little Rock and at Winrock Farms on Petit Jean Mountain, where a plaque outside his home quotes Micah 6:8: “And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” That verse summarized Win’s views on his life and his responsibilities as a member of one of the world’s wealthiest and most powerful families. Win was elected lieutenant governor during a special election in November 1996 and by wide majorities was elected to a four-year term in 1998 and re-elected in 2002. As lieutenant governor he focused on economic development, education and literacy. As acting governor on September 11, 2001, the day terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, he resisted calls to declare a state of emergency and instead urged Arkansans to remain calm and to donate blood, which they did. He sponsored Project ChildSafe, a national firearms safety program that has distributed hundreds of thousands of free trigger locks in Arkansas.

(LITTLE ROCK) - Thirty-one Arkansas State Police Academy Recruits graduated tonight during ceremonies at the state capitol rotunda. Each of the graduates has accumulated 40 college credit hours toward an associate degree in criminal justice through Black River Technical College at Pocahontas. The recruits received their 22-week course of study and practical exercises at the Arkansas State Police Training Academy, Little Rock headquarters complex. The academy instructors have certified the graduates with 1,145 hours of law enforcement.

Arkansas First Lady, Janet Huckabee, addressed the recruits as the evening’s keynote speaker. The new troopers received their duty oath and commission into service by 2nd Judicial District (3rd Division) Judge David Burnett of Osceola. Among other dignitaries participating in the program were Arkansas State Police Director, Colonel Steve Dozier, representatives of the Arkansas State Police Commission, department command and training personnel and 2006-A Recruit Class Leader, Trooper Hugh Davis.

The new troopers will be assigned to the Arkansas State Police Highway Patrol Division. The graduates and their assignments are listed bellowed by county of assignment:

Ashley County

• Trooper Alex Krneta, 21, of Hot Springs will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop F at Hamburg. Krneta is a graduate of Lake Hamilton High School. Benton County

Benton County

• Trooper Jesse C. Woodham, 22, of Siloam Springs, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop L at Siloam Springs. Woodham is a graduate of Siloam Springs High School.

Carroll County

• Trooper Jeffrey S. Rickets, 33, of Harrison, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop L at Alpena. Ricketts is a graduate of Harrison High School.

• Trooper Jackie R. Stinnett, 39, of Gassville, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop L at Berryville. Stinnett is a graduate of Mountain Home High School. Chicot County

Chicot County

• Trooper Terry Rutledge, 29, of Walnut Ridge, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop F at Lake Village. Rutledge is a graduate of Walnut Ridge High School and Community College of the Air Force at Montgomery, Alabama.

Conway County

• Trooper Eric N. Lee, 23, of Russellville, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop J at Morrilton. Lee is a graduate of Marshall High School and Arkansas Tech University.

Crawford County

• Trooper Patrick A. Schmidt, 25, of Russellville, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop H at Alma. Schmidt is a graduate of Monett (Missouri) High School.

Crittenden County

• Trooper James J. Collins, 27, of Hughes, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop D at Marion. Collins is a graduate of Hughes High School.

• Trooper Charles Rogers, 27, of West Memphis, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop D at West Memphis. Rogers is a graduate of West Memphis High School and Arkansas State University.

Dallas County

• Trooper Richard A. Whitley, 35, of Bearden, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop F at Holly Springs. Whitely is a graduate of Fordyce High School.

Drew County

• Trooper Heath J. Nelson, 23, of Little Rock, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop F at Monticello. Nelson is a graduate of Joe T. Robinson High School and the University of Central Arkansas.

Franklin County

• Trooper Hugh V. Davis, 26, of Russellville, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop H at Charleston. Davis is a graduate of Silsbee (Texas) High School.

Izard County

• Trooper William B. Clements, 24, of Lakeview, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop I at Calico Rock. Clements is a graduate of Mountain Home High School.

Lawrence County

• Trooper Jeremy M. Conner, 23, of Sherwood, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop B at Smithville. Conner is a graduate of Southside High School (Jamestown), the University of Arkansas College at Batesville and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Little River County

• Trooper James D. Jones, 24, of Lockesburg, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop G at Ashdown. Jones is a graduate of Lockesburg High School and the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope.

Lonoke County

• Trooper Jarrod B. Akins, 30, of Conway, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop A at Cabot. Akins is a graduate of Van Buren High School.

• Trooper Tarry D. Johnson, 30, of Jonesboro, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop A at Cabot. Johnson is a graduate of Des Arc High School and Arkansas State University.

• Trooper Matthew L. Talley, 30, of Russellville, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop A at Cabot. Talley is a graduate of Atkins High School and Arkansas Tech University.

Miller County

• Trooper Bernard D. Pettit, 41, of Texarkana, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop G at Texarkana. Pettit is a graduate of McGuffey High School (Washington, Pennsylvania) and Harding University.

Monroe County

• Trooper Damon D. Dobson, 30, of Brinkley, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop D at Brinkley. Dobson is a graduate of Brinkley High School.

• Trooper Jason L. Dooley, 28, of Biscoe, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop D at Brinkley. Dooley is a graduate of DeValls Bluff High School.

Nevada County

• Stephen Simmons, 23, of Pine Bluff, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop G at Emmitt. Simmons is a graduate of Watson Chapel High School and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Poinsett County

• Trooper Rockey R. Rapert, 25, of Paragould, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop C at Trumann. Rapert is a graduate of Maynard High School.

Pope County

• Trooper Brenda K. Gibbons, 23, of Russellville, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop J at Russellville. Gibbons is a graduate of Cove High School, Rich Mountain Community College and Arkansas Tech University.

Pulaski County

• Trooper Nicholas K. Brown, 25, of Mayflower, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop A at Little Rock. Brown is a graduate of Harmony Grover High School.

• Trooper Dustin K. Chastain, 25, of Cabot, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop A at Jacksonville. Chastain is a graduate of Stuttgart High School.

• Trooper William B. Lann, 22, of Conway, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop A at Maumelle. Lann is a graduate of Magnolia High School.

• Trooper Joseph C. Pickett, 25, of Little Rock, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop A at Little Rock. Pickett is a graduate of Camden Fairview High School and Ouachita Baptist University.

• Trooper Antoine M. Williams, 35, of Little Rock, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop A at Little Rock. Williams is a graduate of Curie High School (Chicago, Illinois) and Southern Illinois University (Carbondale).

Searcy County

• Trooper Terry R. Burdin, II, 29, of Corning, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop I at Leslie. Burdin is a graduate of Piggott High School.

Woodruff County

• Trooper Robert J. Stewart, 23, of Newport, will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop D at McCroy. Stewart is a graduate of Newport High School.

Class awards in the categories of academics, firearms, physical training and EVOC (emergency vehicle operations course) were presented to the following class members:

Academics - First Place, Trooper Rockey Rapert, Second Place, Trooper Patrick Schmidt, Third Place, Trooper Jeremy Conner.

Firearms - First Place, Trooper Jackie Stinnett, Second Place, Trooper William Lann, Third Place, Trooper Terry Burdin.

Physical Training - First Place, Trooper Heath Nelson, Second Place, Trooper Hugh Davis, Third Place, Trooper James Jones.

EVOC - First Place, Trooper Patrick Schmidt, Second Place, Trooper Hugh Davis, Third Place, Trooper Jackie Stinnett.

The new troopers will report to their local assignments on July 10th. Each trooper’s initial assignment will include a six-week period working directly with a Certified Field Training Officer at their local troop before being released for duty in the assigned counties.

(LITTLE ROCK) - The Law enforcement officers from more than 150 agencies are joining forces to crackdown on drivers and passengers in Arkansas who are not buckled up during the Click It or Ticket mobilization surrounding the Memorial Day weekend.

Colonel. Steve Dozier, Arkansas State Police director, announced today during a news conference that participating law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force from May 22 through June 4.

“By educating motorists and conducting high-visibility traffic enforcement campaigns like Click It or Ticket, we have made significant progress in safety belt use in the past four years,” Dozier said. Since the program began in 2002, the number of Arkansans who use their safety belt has increased by about 25 percent.

According to Arkansas law, drivers who are stopped by law enforcement officers for a moving or equipment violation may also be ticketed if the officer observes a safety belt violation. Drivers who do not properly restrain children under the age of 15 can be stopped at any time and ticketed for the violation.

Along with increased enforcement, Arkansans will notice a targeted television and radio advertising campaign aimed at those who are most at-risk for not using their safety belts, particularly males between the ages of 18 and 34 and pickup truck drivers and passengers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 250,000 Arkansas pickup truck drivers are still not buckling up.

“Pickup truck drivers and occupants are a very unlikely group to wear their safety belt. This may be in part due to the way trucks are advertised so people seem to gain a false sense of security while riding in them,” Dozier said.

Pickup trucks actually are twice as likely to rollover as cars, and when there are unrestrained passengers there is an increased risk of occupant ejection. A person’s chance of injury or death is greatly increased when they are ejected from a vehicle.

Safety belt use in pickup trucks in Arkansas is only 55 percent compared to 68 percent in other passenger vehicles.

“By stepping up enforcement of our safety belt laws, we are going to save lives. If you choose not to buckle up, we would rather you pay for your choice with a ticket than with your life,” Dozier said.

Dr. Joe Thompson, Arkansas’ Surgeon General and Director of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, emphasized the goal of the Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign is to save lives and reduce injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes by increasing safety belt use in Arkansas. Arkansas’ belt use at 68 percent lags far behind the national seat belt use rate of 82 percent.

According to NHTSA, people who wear safety belts increase their odds of surviving a serious crash by 45 percent and increase their odds of avoiding serious injuries by 50 percent.

Dr. Thompson said he views deaths from traffic crashes as a public health crisis that shatters families and impacts the health care delivery system in communities across our state.

“We know that using safety belts saves lives,” Thompson said. “It’s simple to do and it doesn’t cost a thing. However, the price is high if you’re involved in a car crash and not buckled up. The price could be your life.”

For more information about the value of safety belts in pickups, visit www.BuckleUpInYourTruck.com. For more information about safety belts, child safety seats and booster seats, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration web site at www.nhtsa.dot.gov or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office (501) 618-8136.

(BISMARCK) - The Arkansas State Police Commission, meeting today at DeGray State Lodge, approved the recommendations for commander promotions submitted for consideration by Colonel Steve Dozier, Director of the Arkansas State Police.

Captain Cleve Barfield, 54, of Little Rock, acting commander of the department’s Criminal Investigation Division, was promoted to the rank of major and will assume formal command duties within the division. Major Barfield is a 32 year veteran of the department.

Lieutenant Robert Felcher, 61, of North Little Rock, administrative assistant within the Administrative Services Division, was promoted to the rank of captain and will serve as commander of the Regulatory Services Section. Captain Felcher is a 34 year veteran of the department.

(NORTH LITTLE ROCK) - The Arkansas State Police Corporal Ben Cross, 36, of Russellville, has been awarded the Arkansas State Trooper of the Year Award for 2005 and the department’s Medal of Valor. Corporal Cross is assigned to the department’s Highway Patrol Division, Troop J, and is a 10 year veteran of the Arkansas State Police. Corporal Cross was among a group of state police personnel, local law enforcement officers from southwest Arkansas and a driver for a Russellville trucking company to receive awards today at the annual Arkansas State Police Awards Ceremony and Luncheon. Corporal Cross was among a group of state police personnel, local law enforcement officers from southwest Arkansas and a driver for a Russellville trucking company to receive awards today at the annual

Arkansas State Police Awards Ceremony and Luncheon. Both of the prestigious awards were presented to Corporal Cross by Governor Mike Huckabee and Arkansas State Police Director, Colonel Steve Dozier.

Corporal Cross was recognized for his gallantry and determination to protect the citizens of Yell and Pope Counties on the night of On January 8th, 2005 when Ola police officers initiated an enforcement stop that led to the officers being attacked and other officers subsequently targeted by gunfire from the driver of the suspect vehicle. Along Highway 7 near Ola, Corporal Cross encountered the suspect vehicle following the initial attack directed at Ola officers. Corporal Cross attempted to initiate an enforcement stop, however the vehicle sped away.

The suspect proceeded into the City of Dardanelle where he stopped his vehicle and opened fire on the pursuing officers. A short, but fierce, gun battle took place for several seconds. As the suspect fled from Dardanelle, Corporal Cross and other officers moved-in closer to the fleeing vehicle. A Yell County sheriff’s deputy successfully disabled the suspect vehicle using a forcible stop technique.

The suspect jumped from his vehicle with a shotgun he had been using in the firefight with police and fled into an open field. Corporal Cross had retrieved his rifle and fired several times at the suspect striking and stopping the suspect. Corporal Cross’s calmness and orderly thinking led to a dangerous situation being defused. It was later learned the suspect was fleeing police having reportedly committed a murder only hours earlier near Ola.

The family of Arkansas State Police Corporal Mark Carthron was recognized during the ceremonies and awarded the department’s Memorial Medal. Corporal Carthron died September 12th, 2005 from injuries sustained the previous day during a line of duty enforcement action as he attempted to stop two robbery suspects fleeing from Arkansas State Troopers along I-40 in Crittenden County. Accepting the medal were Corporal Carthron’s widow, Angela of West Memphis and his parents, Thomas and Doris Carthron of Texarkana.

Other departmental awards presented during the annual ceremony included:

James Clifton Cottrell, chief telecommunications operator for Highway Patrol, Troop I at Harrison, was awarded the Arkansas State Police Civilian Employee of the Year Award. Cottrell is a 35 year veteran of the department.

Trooper Terral Harsson, of Floral, assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop B, received the department’s lifesaving award for his heroic actions on April 28th, 2005 while saving the life of a man trapped in the wreckage of a highway crash that was engulfed in flames. Trooper Harsson was off-duty at the time of his action and used his personal vehicle to pull the door off the truck where the driver was trapped inside.

Corporal Darryl Sullivan (retired) of Harrison, received the Arkansas State Police Gold Shield Award in recognition for his personal sacrifice associated with an on-duty highway crash that occurred October 30th, 2004. Sullivan sustained serious injuries while on patrol assignments along State Highway 14 in Stone County when the intoxicated driver of an oncoming vehicle swerved into Sullivan’s lane of travel crashing head-on with the Arkansas State Police patrol car. Both Sullivan and the driver of the car that collided with the patrol car were engulfed in flames. Sullivan was able to escape the wreckage, however could not save the life of the man trapped in the burning wreckage.

Trooper First Class James R. Ault, JR, of Perryville was awarded the Arkansas State Police Trooper’s Cross for his successful intervention in disarming a gunman who had threatened a church congregation near Casa on September 5, 2005.

Arkansas State Police Corporals Raymond Siggers of Dumas and Darrel Astin of Forrest City both received nominations for Arkansas State Trooper of the Year for their respective Highway Patrol enforcement actions during 2005.  Charles Cogburn, of Lamar, was awarded the Arkansas State Police Distinguished Service Award for his commitment to civic responsibility and his keen perspective for recognizing a vehicle wanted in connection with a national Amber alert. On February 15th, 2005, Cogburn, who was employed by TLI, a Russellville trucking company, was eastbound along Interstate 40 when he spotted a car suspected of being used in the armed abduction of a Texas teenager. Cogburn contacted the Arkansas State Police dispatch center at Clarksville and was able to direct troopers and other law enforcement personnel to his location as he followed the suspect vehicle. Cogburn is credited with saving the life of the Plano, Texas teenager, the safe reunion of the girl with her parents and leading law enforcement to arrest a wanted fugitive.

Hope Police Detective, Lieutenant Frank McJunkins and Detective Jesus Coronado of the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Department were each awarded the department’s Distinguished Service Award. Both lawmen were instrumental in their initiatives to seek out local leads in a six-week arson investigation stemming from an April 17th, 2005 fire that destroyed the Hope High School. Both men were assigned to work with Arkansas State Police Special Agent Scott Clark and as a team; the officers were successful in developing a suspect who was later arrested in connection with the arson.

(LITTLE ROCK) - The Arkansas State Police Commission today approved the recommendations of Colonel Steve Dozier, Director of the Arkansas State Police, to promote two state troopers to the rank of sergeant who will be assigned as Highway Patrol post supervisors.

TFC Jason Aaron, 31, of Van Buren, currently assigned to patrol duties in Highway Patrol, Troop H (Crawford County) was promoted to the rank of sergeant. A 7 year veteran of the department, Sergeant Aaron will assume new duties in Highway Patrol, Troop H (Sebastian County) as a
post supervisor.

Corporal Wesley Smithee, 35, of Paragould, assigned to patrol duties in Highway Patrol, Troop C (Greene County) was promoted to the rank of sergeant. A 10 year veteran of the department, Sergeant Smithee will assume new duties in Highway Patrol, Troop C (Mississippi County) as a post supervisor.

(LITTLE ROCK) - The Arkansas State Police internet web site has a new look. More important it has new features and re-designed functions intended to assist the public in making online contact with department personnel and accessing online regulatory and administrative law enforcement services.

The web site can be accessed at http://www.asp.arkansas.gov/

Internet users can initiate criminal background checks for purposes allowable by Arkansas law and order copies of highway or street crash reports prepared by Arkansas State Troopers and other law enforcement agencies from across the state.

"Our goal is to eventually provide to the public all of our administrative services and licensing functions in an automated online format," Colonel Steve Dozier, Arkansas State Police Director said.

"Our next priority is to begin developing a web based license renewal service specifically designed for the more than 30,000 Arkansans who have Concealed Handgun Licenses," Colonel Dozier stated. One of the new features offered at the site is a link to current schedules and locations outside of troop headquarters around the state where driver license examinations are offered.   Study guides for the examinations are also available online in both English and Spanish.

An important addition to the web site is a memorial page for the Arkansas State Troopers who have been killed in the line of duty. During the 71 year history of the department, 18 state troopers have lost their lives while serving and protecting the citizens of Arkansas. Photographs of each of these fallen troopers and a narrative explaining the circumstances of their individual death, along with a video memorial can be found at the site.

Another new feature includes videos produced by the department that are designed to inform the public about the Arkansas State Police, recruit individuals who are interested in becoming an Arkansas State Trooper and educate the public about safe driving practices.

The department is also proud to offer for the first time a section within the web site that gives the public a glimpse of the rich history and many stories about the state's premier law enforcement department and the 1935 legislation that ultimately created what we know today as the Arkansas State Police. The centerpiece of this section is a publication entitled, The Big Hat Law: Arkansas and its State Police, 1935 - 2000. Michael Lindsey, a history master's graduate from the University of Arkansas, has released the publication to be shared with the public through the state police web site. This section of the web site also offers historical photographs from the department's archives and a video that exhibits the many changes that have occurred since the department was first established.

The Arkansas State Police web site is also the launching site for public notification of Morgan Nick Amber Alerts in Arkansas. From the web site, radio, television and newspapers are notified when a child or teenager is abducted or missing and believed to be in imminent danger.

The public can also sign-up at the site for wireless notifications through their wireless phones or other personal electronic devices. A copy of the department's Morgan Nick Amber Alert Field Operations Manual is also available at the site. "We encourage local law enforcement officers and parents to become familiar with the manual," said Captain Cleve Barfield, commander of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division. "Minutes are especially precious during the initial reports of a missing child and it's important everyone understands the reporting criteria to initiate the statewide alert for a missing child," Captain Barfield said.

The web site can be updated from Arkansas State Police Headquarters. During natural disasters or other catastrophic events, the web site features an Alert & Information marquee on the front page that can be used to keep the public and news organizations advised of response by Arkansas State Troopers a specific disaster or provide updated information to the public about local law enforcement operations.

The Arkansas State Police web site is hosted by the Information Network of Arkansas (http://www.arkansas.gov/).

(LITTLE ROCK) - The Arkansas State Police Commission today approved the recommendations of Colonel Steve Dozier, Director of the Arkansas State Police, to promote five state troopers to the rank of sergeant and the lateral transfers of two other sergeants to new assignments within the department.

Corporal Don Johnson, 38, of Bigelow, currently assigned to patrol duties in Highway Patrol, Troop J (Perry County) was promoted to the rank of sergeant. A 10 year veteran of the department, Sergeant Johnson will assume new duties in Highway Patrol, Troop A (Pulaski County) as a post supervisor.

Corporal David Cooper, 35, of Bryant, currently assigned to patrol duties in Highway Patrol, Troop A (Saline County) was promoted to the rank of sergeant. An 11 year veteran of the department, Sergeant Cooper will assume new duties in Highway Patrol, Troop A (Saline County) as a post supervisor.

Corporal Charles Watson, 43, of El Dorado, currently assigned to patrol duties in Highway Patrol, Troop F (Union County) was promoted to the rank of sergeant. A 17 year veteran of the department, Sergeant Watson will assume new duties in Highway Patrol, Troop D (St. Francis County) as a post supervisor.

Corporal Wanda James, 41, of Eudora, currently assigned to patrol duties in Highway Patrol, Troop F (Chicot County) was promoted to the rank of sergeant. An 8 year veteran of the department, Sergeant James will assume new duties as a supervisor within in the department’s ID Bureau and AFIS operations located at Little Rock administrative headquarters.

Corporal Kimberly Warren, 42, of Ozark, currently assigned as a special agent in the department’s Criminal Investigation Division, Company D, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. A 15 year veteran of the department, Sergeant Warren will assume supervisory duties within CID Company D.

Sergeant Kyle Drown assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop H post supervisor duties was granted a lateral transfer to Highway Patrol post supervisor duties in Troop J (Pope County).

Sergeant Derrick Flowers assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop C post supervisor duties was granted a lateral transfer to the department’s Criminal Investigation Division, Office of Investigative Support located at administrative headquarters in Little Rock.

(LITTLE ROCK ) - Twelve Arkansas State Troopers from each of the department’s Highway Patrol Division troops were honored this week by the Arkansas office of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. Each trooper received the prestigious Blue Knight Award recognizing them as the top DWI enforcement officer within their respective troop during the calendar year 2004.

Those receiving Blue Knight awards were:

• TFC Trenton Behnke, Troop A
• Trooper Clinton Calderon, Troop B
• Corporal Tony Austin, Troop C
• Corporal Richard West, Troop D
• Corporal Ray Siggers, Troop E
• TFC Jeff Hurst, Troop F
• TFC Jamie Gravier, Troop G
• Corporal Don Smith, Troop H
• Trooper David Small, Troop I
• TFC Shane Bewley, Troop J
• TFC Kevin Steed, Troop K
• TFC Larry Norman, Troop L

Cumulatively the State Police Blue Knight recipients are credited with 698 of the department’s total 5,398 DWI arrests during 2004.

Colonel Steve Dozier, Director of the Arkansas State Police, addressing the honorees, their troop commanders, MADD representatives, and state officials in attendance for the ceremonies expressed his gratitude to MADD for recognizing the work of the State Troopers in making the highways safer by removing the impaired drivers who endanger others by consuming drugs and alcohol before getting into the driver’s seat of their vehicles.

(LITTLE ROCK ) - Arkansas State Police Director, Colonel Steve Dozier announced today the recent graduation of three department supervisors from Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC). Lieutenant Sedrick Reed, Assistant Commander of Troop A, Highway Patrol Division in Little Rock; Sergeant Steven A. Coppinger, Assistant Company Commander of Company D, Criminal Investigation Division in Springdale; and Sergeant Gabe L. Weaver, Post Sergeant of Troop L, Highway Patrol Division in Springdale were among the thirty-six law enforcement officers from 10 states to complete the 10-week course of studies at the Tennessee Department of Safety Training Center at Nashville, Tennessee.

“The training these supervisors have received equips them with both the knowledge and skills necessary to organize and plan enforcement efforts aimed at furthering our department’s goals and objectives,” said Colonel Dozier.

SPSC, a university-based education program launched by Northwestern University in 1983, is intended for police personnel with supervisory, staff or command responsibilities. Over 7000 officers have graduated from SPSC over the past twenty years.

The three Arkansas State Police graduates successfully passed 18 exams and received passing grades on two researched and written staff studies and earned 21 semester hours of undergraduate credit from Northwestern University. Fourteen other former or current Arkansas State Police supervisors have been trained by Northwestern University in its SPSC and its predecessor program, Police Administration Training Program.

Colonel Dozier also announced that Sgt. Coppinger was selected by his peers and by the staff of the Center for Public Safety to receive the Franklin M. Kreml Leadership Award. This award was established in perpetuity by Franklin M. Kreml, the Traffic Institute’s founder, to recognize and honor an SPSC student from each class who clearly demonstrates dedication, devotion, ethics, leadership and justice.

The SPSC curriculum, consisting of 350 police training hours, includes Introduction to Management, Interpersonal and Organizational Communication, Leadership, Organizational Behavior, Ethics and the Police Manager, Police Standards and Professionalization, Effective Presentations and Meetings, Police Traffic Management and Analysis, Legal Issues in Traffic Enforcement and Criminal Investigations, Criminal Law and Procedure Update, Information Resources for Law Enforcement Managers, Managing Criminal Investigation Divisions, News Media Relations, Police Executive Panel, Current Topics in Law Enforcement Management, Selection and Promotion, Legal Aspects of Selection and Promotion, Performance Appraisals, Labor/Management Relations, Legal Aspects of Civil Liability, Legal Aspects of Discipline, Improving Performance Through Training, Managing the Problem Employee, Managing Discipline, Staff Research, Problem Solving and Decision Analysis, Project Management, Police Resource Analysis, Police Resource Deployment, Computers for Law Enforcement, Budget Preparation and Management, Planning and Policy Development and Staff Research Paper Presentations.