Attorney General recognizes Officers of the Year

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge recently hosted the 2022 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year awards and recognition luncheon at the Benton Event Center. There she announced Fort Smith Police Officer Robin Gaines and Hot Springs Police Officers Stephen Parrott and James Moore as the 2022 Law Enforcement Officers of the Year. Officer Gaines intervened in a domestic violence dispute, where he was seriously injured, which was pivotal to ending the tragic crime. Officer Parrott and Officer Moore were recognized for stopping a shooting after a high school graduation ceremony outside the Hot Springs Convention Center, ultimately saving countless lives.

The Attorney General also recognized Officers of the Year from each county.

2022 Officer of the Year Winners from our area:

Hempstead County
Corporal Justin Dean, Hope Police Department

Nevada County
Trooper Robert Neese, Arkansas State Police

Howard County
Officer Ashanti Burris, Arkansas Department of Community Corrections

Lafayette County
Trooper Jordan Drake, Arkansas State Police

Little River County
Trooper First Class Joshua Broughton and Trooper Ian Nelson, Arkansas State Police

Pike County
Trooper Seth Smedley, Arkansas State Police