Local officers win awards for DUI enforcement

A Kentucky State Police Post 4 trooper was awarded second place in the state for his efforts to clear the roadways of impaired drivers during a ceremony Wednesday in Louisville.

Each law enforcement agency nominates an officer for the 2012 Governor’s Impaired Driving Enforcement Award, for which a ceremony was held Wednesday at the Galt House Hotel and Suites in Louisville. The awards are issued by the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety.

Officers additionally are recognized at the state level and then based on department size.

Trooper Jerry Clanton, 33, of Vine Grove made 185 arrests for driving under the influence between Oct. 1, 2011, and Sept. 30, 2012, said Capt. John Ward, commander at the Elizabethtown post.

A three-year veteran with Post 4, Clanton is assigned to Meade and Hardin counties, Ward said, but primarily works in Meade.

“He works hard to make our roadways safer,” the captain said.

Ward said he believes this is the first time a Post 4 trooper has won a statewide governor’s award since he was appointed post commander in 2004.

West Point Officer Jacob Duke was awarded first place in the state for departments with 10 or fewer officers, Chief Butch Curl said. The West Point department has four officers.

Duke, who has been with the department for two years, made 54 DUI arrests.

Also nominated from local departments were Hardin County Sheriff’s Deputy Henry Volentine with 19 arrests, Hodgenville Police Officer Eddie R. Dockery with 16 arrests, LaRue County Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Williamson with 17 arrests, Muldraugh Police Officer Keith Stiltner with 32 arrests, Radcliff Police Officer Clayton Ellis with 49 arrests, and Vine Grove Police Officer Terry Grunden with 15 arrests.

According to a KOHS news release, 197 officers from 164 law enforcement agencies received recognition Wednesday.

Sarah Bennett can be reached at (270) 505-1750 or sbennett@thenewsenterprise.com.