ATF AGENT RECOGNIZED BY AREA PEACE OFFICERS

Roger Moen, special agent with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, was honored Thursday with an award from the SEMO Peace Officers Association.

Chief Deputy Leonard Hines of the Cape County Sheriff's Department recommended Moen for the award. Hines said Moen's service to the Peace Officers Association and to the ATF for 20 years and his investigative work made Moen worthy of recognition.

"He's been a real asset to local law enforcement," said Hines.

The last such recognition was given by the association two years ago.

Moen has been promoted and is being transferred to the Fargo, N.D., district branch of the ATF. That district includes all of North Dakota and 15 Minnesota counties.

Moen last year earned a national award from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. The award was given for his two-year investigation that resulted in the arrest of nine members of a motorcycle gang involved in a three-state drug ring. Only two ATF officers were recognized nationwide for successfully investigating drug trafficking.

Moen has served as vice president and chaplain of the Peace Officers Association. The group is made up of federal, state, county and city law enforcement officers as well as members of the court system.

He received a plaque at the association's quarterly meeting at the Holiday Inn.

Moen, a graduate of Valley City State College in Valley City, N.D., enlisted in the Army Military Intelligence Service. After his discharge, he joined the ATF in May 1971, and was assigned to the district office here.