Fifteen law enforcement officials from throughout the U.S. and Canada were honored by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) for their extraordinary efforts in recovering missing children and resolving child sexual exploitation cases.

The awards were presented as part of the 12th Annual Congressional Breakfast and National Missing and Exploited Children's Awards hosted by NCMEC on Capitol Hill. Each year, the event is attended by various members of Congress, along with federal, state, and local officials. The National Fraternal Order of Police and the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention each year partner with NCMEC to host the event in conjunction with National Missing Children's Day, which is observed on May 25.

Officers received awards for their work investigating cases of missing children and of exploited children, as well as for law enforcement excellence.

Recipients of the 2007 NCMEC Law Enforcement Excellence Award Sheriff David Gutierrez and Capt. Antonio Menchaca of the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office in Lubbock, Texas, were honored by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX) for their perseverance, resourcefulness, and diligence in recovering the remains of Joanna Rogers, the 16-year-old victim of a brutal attack. Officers recovered her body in a Texas landfill.

For a full list of award recipients and more information about the NCMEC, visit www.missingkids.com.