CPD Awards First Officer Of The Year Award To Sgt. Ben Dukes

The Cookeville Police Department awarded its first-ever Officer of the Year Award to newly-promoted Sergeant Ben Dukes.

Chief Randy Evans made the presentation before City Council Thursday night. Evans said the award goes to an officer who has demonstrated superior performance, initiative, leadership, and dedication among other qualities.

“His demeanor, the way he talks to the public bring great pride to our department,” Evans said. “Suspect or upstanding citizen, everyone is treated with respect by Officer Dukes. He is always quick to assist any other officer at any given time, and displays an abundance of knowledge.”

Evans said the department has supervisors submit nominations to the Award Board. In reading an excerpt from Dukes’ nomination, Evans said that the sergeant is constantly putting in tremendous effort to go above and beyond the norm of expectations.

Dukes has served as a law enforcement officer for five years and was promoted to Sergeant in the Patrol Services Division this week.

Council member Mark Miller said that as a former state trooper, he wanted to extend thanks to Duke’s family as well.

“Whenever I would go my family didn’t know when I was coming home, the mental state that I could be in when I got home,” Miller said. “And for you to be there to support him so he can endeavor and be a really good officer for us, thank you very much.”