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Three law enforcement officers receive
'Beyond the Traffic Stop' awards

Three Idaho law enforcement officers were honored with “Beyond the Traffic Stop” awards Wednesday (April 28) at the 2010 Highway Safety Summit organized by ITD in Boise.

Sgt. Brenda Smith, Post Falls Police Department, Officer Jeremy Barnes, Lewiston Police Department, and Officer Ryan Hayes, Montpelier Police Department, received awards for traffic enforcement efforts that also succeeded in capturing criminals or stopping criminal activity.

The three law enforcement officers were working high-visibility enforcement mobilizations sponsored by ITD’s Office of Highway Operations and Safety, and routine traffic enforcement.

A driving under the influence (DUI) arrest on Jan. 1, conducted by Smith, led to a sizable drug seizure that included 27.8 grams of heroin. Also in January, Barnes recovered $12,000 worth of marijuana and three illegal firearms as a result of a traffic stop for a taillight out. Hayes arrested a wanted fugitive responsible for the lockdown of two Pocatello schools as he was working a DUI mobilization last November.

This is the second year that ITD’s Office of Highway Operations and Safety presented the awards.

The 2010 Highway Safety Summit included guest speakers and workshops about highway safety for more than 260 attendees.

Photos: Jeremy Barnes (Lewiston Police Department) and Ryan Hayes (Montpelier Police Department) were honored Wednesday with 'Beyond the Traffic Stop' awards (left photo); Officers Jason Dewitt (Post Falls) and Nick Knoll (Coeur d'Alene) acceept an award on behalf of Sgt. Brenda Smith, Post Falls (right photo).