Cape Girardeau County sheriff's employees honored

The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department honored four employees Friday during the annual presentation of the Timothy J. Ruopp Award and the Copeland Excellence Awards.

Sgt. Sean Adams, left, receives the Timothy J. Ruopp Award from Cape Girardeau County Sheriff John Jordan Friday, May 18, 2012 in Jackson. (Fred Lynch)

Sheriff John Jordan presided over the ceremony, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of National Law Enforcement Week.

Sgt. Sean Adams received the Timothy J. Ruopp Award, as a tribute for outstanding service to his department, community and fellow officers. Ruopp, a former member of the sheriff's department, was killed in the line of duty while serving with the San Diego Police Department. Each year since his death in 1984, an officer has been recognized by the department and the Ruopp family.

This year, Nathan Ruopp presented the award along with Jordan to Adams. Ruopp was five when his father was killed and said he was happy to be able to attend and proud of the winner.

Patti Maevers, left, presents the Copeland Excellence Awards to Barry Hensley, business operations, and Heather VanGennip, field operations, at the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office Friday, May 18, 2012 in Jackson. Also honored was Randy Koehler, jail operations, who was not present. (Fred Lynch)

Adams, a former Eagle Scout, began working with the department in 2000 as a civilian jailer and has risen to the rank of senior sergeant. Jordan said he stood out for his conscientious observance of laws governing people's rights with regard to law enforcement.

One employee from each of the department's three divisions was presented with the Copeland Excellence Award in memory of Norman Copeland, who served as sheriff from 1986 to 1994. Jordan, who served under Copeland and was elected when he retired, described Copeland as a mentor. Recipients were singled out by their supervisors as "striving for excellence in the performance of the task assigned to them."

Patti Maevers, Copeland's daughter, joined Jordan on the dais to hand out the awards.

In the field operations division, Deputy Heather VanGennip was honored. Jordan mentioned her commitment to the community, demonstrated by her visiting hospitalized children and seniors on Easter Sunday, dressed as the Easter bunny. VanGennip has been working with the department since April 2003.

Barry Hensley of the maintenance department won the award for the business operations division. Though a "short-timer" who joined the department May 2011, Jordan said he quickly has become a dedicated and important team member.

Deputy Randy Koehler of the jail operations division won the third award. Koehler, who was not present, joined the sheriff's office in June 2009 and recently left for other employment.

Jordan concluded the ceremony by thanking all the department members in attendance. He said Cape Girardeau County has the "best sheriff's office in the state" and that everyone under his command was deserving of recognition in contributing to its success.

salderman@semissourian.com

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