Since 1993, the National Rifle Association has presented the NRA Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award.
The award is presented annually to an officer who has performed exceptional acts or service in the line of duty. The 2009 honoree was Sgt. Dave Lawler of the Linn County (Ore.) Sheriff's Office. In 2008, Lawler responded to a call of a disturbed man in traffic. The call evolved into a hostage incident and a decisive gun battle between Lawler and the suspect. (For more details see the "Shots Fired" feature in the October 2009 issue of POLICE Magazine.)
As the 2009 NRA Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Lawler received a specially engraved Smith & Wesson M&P pistol, among other awards.
For more information on the NRA Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award program, go to NRAHQ.org.
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