SGT. EAKINS GETS AWARD FOR SERVICE WITH POLICE

Service above and beyond the call of duty were cited as reasons that Cape Girardeau Police Sgt. Carl Eakins was presented Tuesday with the first "Law Enforcement Commendation Award."

The award was presented by the Southeast Missouri chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution at the police department's Christmas party Tuesday, said club member Steve L. Brown.

"He hadn't come out of any burning buildings carrying children or anything like that," Brown said, "but he had a long history of excellence in enforcement of the law; in terms of providing extra time (and) looking for extra leads in cases."

Schroeder said the chapter's national organization has given awards to law enforcement officials for years. The local chapter has existed only about a year.

The award is Eakins' second in the past two weeks. On Dec. 6, he was named Cape Girardeau's city employee of the year.

"It was a surprise," Eakins, a 19-year department veteran, said of the law enforcement. "I didn't know anything about this one. The other (award) I knew about.

"It's good to know that somebody out there appreciates our work."

Brown said the chapter started the award selection process during the summer. He said that the Cape Girardeau Police Department was the only department considered for the first award, but that he hopes to present it annually to an officer from any Southeast Missouri law enforcement agency.

Police Capt. Steve Strong said he provided the chapter with several names of officers who would qualify for the award. He said Eakins devotes a lot of personal time to casework.

"He's an extremely dedicated and very professional officer," Strong said. "He is a good example of what I hope all our officers are.

"I think anyone would be proud to have him as an employee. The city's lucky to have him."

Strong said Eakins, who despises "unknowns," won't quit until he's certain a job is finished.

As an example, Eakins earlier this year put in extra time and helped stop a small burglary wave in the city, Strong said.

His work helped lead to the clearing of 19 burglary cases, charges against four suspects, and the recovery of $10,000 worth of property, he said.

The Sons of the American Revolution is a patriotic organization that seeks to promote awareness of the American Revolution, Brown said.