SHERIFF'S DEPUTY HONORED; SGT. ROBERT SCOTT RECEIVES 1990 TIMOTHY J. RUOPP AWARD

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Sgt. Robert Scott of the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department Wednesday received the 1990 Timothy J. Ruopp award for outstanding and distinguished service.

Sheriff Norman Copeland presented the award to Scott, saying he was "proud" to have him working in the department.

"This is a very important award," Copeland said. "I feel it exemplifies the feelings of law enforcement personnel for one another.

"Sgt. Scott started working for the department Oct. 1, 1984 and he has served diligently through the years."

Scott began in 1984 as a deputy, but was soon promoted to sergeant and assistant jail administrator, where Copeland said he does "an excellent job.

"You never hear any complaints out of him and he's always available regardless of circumstances," Copeland said.

The sheriff said Scott rushed from the hospital room of his grandfather, who recently underwent heart surgery, to attend Wednesday's award presentation. He said Scott's commitment to the department always has been evident.

"We're very proud to have him in the department," Copeland added. "He does an excellent job and we're very proud to give him this award."

Scott thanked the Ruopp family, which attended the presentation, for making the award possible. He said the award helps add to the department's morale. "It's very appreciated," he said.

Scott, and his wife, Peggy, have a four-month-old daughter, Kristin.

The award was established in 1984 to recognize outstanding and distinguished service by a member of the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department. The award is named after the former Cape Girardeau County deputy who became a police officer in San Diego, Calif.

Ruopp was shot and killed in the line of duty in September 1984. The award was established by Ruopp's family.

Past award winners include Former Lt. Ronald Johnson, now an investigator for the Cape Girardeau County Public Defender's office; Lt. Michael Hurst, jail administrator; Lt. Ruth Ann Dickerson, head of operations; Lt. Clann "Bud" Proffer, who heads the patrol division; Lt. John Jordan, who heads the investigative division; and Sgt. David James of the investigative division.