Law enforcement leaders recognized by civic group

Seven members of law enforcement in the Cape Girardeau area were honored Thursday night for the work they have done in the past year.

The local employees were recognized by the Evening Optimist Club of Cape Girardeau at a the annual Respect for Law dinner.

"We should be proud of Cape Girardeau for having such fine law enforcement officers in our community," said club president Mike Hurst.

Each year the Optimist club goes to various local law enforcement-related agencies to honor someone for the work they have done, Hurst said.

"We try to give something back to these people who help us," he said.

This year's recipients are Cape Girardeau officer Mike Wilson, Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department Capt. J.P. Mulcahy, Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle, Cape Girardeau County Circuit Clerk Charles Hutson, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration special agent Herman Hogue, deputy U.S. Marshal Curt Casteel and attorney for the juvenile officer Matt Koetting.

Guest speaker Mayor Jay Knudtson called his proudest accomplishment as mayor the passage of the quarter-cent fire tax, which funded pay raises for police officers and firefighters, new equipment, renovation of the police station and a the construction of a new fire station.

"They have to be given the resources and equipment to properly do their job," Knudtson said. "Hopefully that [the tax] demonstrates my commitment to law enforcement."

In addition to the recipients, representatives from other law enforcement agencies attended the dinner, including the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives.

kmorrison@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127