LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARDS PRESENTED

The Optimist Clubs of Cape Girardeau honored area law enforcement personnel Wednesday through the presentation of service awards to officers and agencies.

The Respect for Law Enforcement banquet was started in 1965 by the Optimists of Cape Girardeau, to "mesh together the public and law enforcement personnel to promote a better understanding between them," said Bonnie Walker, of the Excelsior Optimists.

The Cape Girardeau Regional Fraternal Order of Police recommended three officers of the Cape Girardeau Police Department and one civilian for outstanding service in the field of law enforcement.

Officers Rodney Barker, William Bohnert and Barry Hovis, all veteran officers of the Cape Girardeau police, received awards for excellence in their fields.

Susan Scholl, of Cape Girardeau, was given an award for noticing suspicious activity in the rear of a grocery store and notifying police, resulting in the arrest of four persons for robbery.

Cape Girardeau Sheriff's Deputy Paul Wilson was given an award for his service to the Sheriff's Department for the past nine years.

Bettie Knoll, a special officer with the Cape Girardeau police and crime victim's advocate for Cape Girardeau County, was given an award recognizing her efforts in the many programs in which she is involved at the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

Sgt. Leo McElrath III of the Missouri Highway Patrol was given an award of excellence for his 20 years with the highway patrol.

Associate Circuit Judge Benjamin Lewis was presented with a special award for his active role in community development and alternative sentencing.

Cape Girardeau County Sheriff Norman Copeland was presented with an award on behalf of the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force, for its service to the region.

Officer Randall Rhodes of the Jackson Police Department was given an award for his service to the department and the community.

Cathryn Maya, the police and courts reporter with the Southeast Missourian newspaper, was given an award for her contributions to the field of law enforcement through articles written about the courts and other law enforcement agencies in Southeast Missouri.