Law enforcement officers honored at Elks banquet

Butler County Sheriff’s Department investigator Eddie Holloway was honored as the Elks Club Officer of the Year at the 36th Annual Law and Order Night on Saturday, March 23.

Police officials along with their families, friends and civic supporters gathered at the Poplar Bluff Elks Lodge #2452 for the annual event to recognize both officers and civilians for their outstanding service to their communities in Butler and Ripley counties.

Dakota Loggains was this year’s recipient of the Donwell Clark Award, which recognizes the outstanding officer from the Butler County Sheriff’s Department.

Clark was a detective and crime scene investigator for both Poplar Bluff and Butler County whose distinguished career is enshrined in the annual award.

Also recognized by Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs were Lucas Nierman for Corrections Officer of the Year and Justin Chilton for Communications Officer of the Year.

Poplar Bluff Police Chief Mike McClain presented Jeff Hovis with the Danny H. Whiteley Dedicated Service award. The award recognizes former city police chief Whiteley, who retired in 2022 after 22 years as head of the Poplar Bluff Police Department.

McClain presented Selena Torres with the city’s Officer of the Year award. Trisha Thomas was also honored by McClain with the Civilian of the Year award.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol recognized Kelly Barnett as Trooper of the Year, Kristopher Wilkins as Communications Officer of the Year, and Stephen Williams as CDL Examiner of the Year.

The Butler County Prosecutor’s office honored Shayna Pearson for her outstanding contributions to the prosecutor’s office.

Meagan Gates received the award for dedicated and outstanding service to the Ripley County Prosecutor’s Office.

Probation and Parole recognized Matthew Carroll as their Officer of the Year and Joshua Woods as Support Staff of the Year.

The Ripley County Sheriff’s Department honored Kaylee Harder for her outstanding service as the jail administrative assistant. Sara Davis was also recognized for her service as office manager for the department.

The event was emceed by the Elks Lodge’s incoming Exalted Ruler Donnie Trout, who is also a retired police detective.