Attorney General Gentner Drummond has announced this year’s regional winners of the Attorney General’s Outstanding Oklahoma Officer of the Year Award. According to a release from the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, six law enforcement officers were selected for their exceptional service, with one statewide winner to be named in November.
A panel of criminal justice professionals from city, county, tribal, and state agencies reviewed nominations to determine the recipients. Drummond stated that each regional winner represents the highest standards of law enforcement in Oklahoma.
Investigator Darren Gordon of the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office was recognized for the Northwest Region for dismantling a multi-state criminal network involved in kidnapping and robbery. Officer Nicholas Winters of the Coweta Police Department earned the Northeast Region honor for his traffic enforcement work, which led to major drug seizures and the resolution of a homicide and missing person case. Deputy Kenton Blumenthal of the Grady County Sheriff’s Office received the Southwest Region award for confronting an armed suspect after a high-speed chase.
In the Southeast Region, Detective Gary Colley, Officer Aaron Thomas, Sheriff Kody Simpson, and Lt. Jimmy Taylor from the Atoka Police and Sheriff’s Departments were honored for their response to a dangerous standoff that safeguarded a local family.
All honorees will be recognized at a ceremony on November 13 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
