Sheriff John Jordan presents awards

Deputy Ed Curtis was recently presented the 2006 Timothy J. Ruopp Award by Sheriff John Jordan. The award, presented as the "Highest Tribute for Outstanding Service to his Department, Community and his Fellow Officer in the Name of Timothy J. Ruopp," has been presented since 1984 when Ruopp, a former employee of the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department, was killed in the line of duty as a law enforcement officer in California.

Curtis began his career with the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department on Oct. 9, 2002, as a patrol officer and continues to serve in that position. In his role as firearms training instructor for the sheriff's office, Curtis makes sure all certified officers receive the required firearms training to maintain their post certification for law enforcement.

Jordan also presented three Copeland Excellence Awards. This award, presented since 1995 and given in honor of former Cape Girardeau County sheriff Norman Copeland, is given to "the employee of the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office who has demonstrated they are striving for excellence in the performance of the tasks assigned to them." The awards include three divisions. In field operations the award was received by Sean Adams; in business operations, Tresa Richards-Englehart; and in jail operations, Matthew Proffer.

Adams has been with the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department since August 2000 and is a sergeant in the patrol division.

Richards-Englehart has been with the department since September 2004 and works in the 911 communications center.

Matthew Proffer started with the department in February 2002, left in September 2005, and returned in January 2006. He is a deputy in the jail division.

Copeland served as sheriff from March 1986 until his retirement in July 1994.

cpagano@semissourian.com

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