Officers recognized for DWI efforts

By Reginald Rogers
Paraglide

May 19, 2011

Each year, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers recognizes law enforcement officers for their efforts against drivers who drive while intoxicated. This year, two of Fort Bragg’s own were among those recognized in the Fayetteville area.

In the ceremony, which took place March 24, at the Hope Mills Recreation Center, MADD’s Sandhills Chapter presented awards to Fort Bragg police officers Investigator Troy Looney and Sgt. Brett Wirtz. Looney was responsible for removing 93 DWI offenders, while Wirtz arrested 72 throughout the year.

According to Officer Jason Tatro, a spokesperson for the Fort Bragg Provost Marshal’s Office, this year is the first time Fort Bragg has been represented in the non-competitive awards ceremony.

“It is not considered a contest,” Tatro explained. “Rather, all law enforcement agencies within the area report their top two police officers with the most “driving under the influence” arrests for the year and they are recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.”

Tatro said the recognition is important for Fort Bragg in that it gives proof that Fort Bragg is parallel with the outside communities in its efforts against drunk driving.

“This award shows Fort Bragg residents that the provost marshal’s office is taking initiative and making Fort Bragg safer by removing drunk drivers from the roadways,” he said.

Looney, a Department of Defense police officer, is an Oregon native, who was formerly an 82nd Airborne Division military police officer. Wirtz, who hails from Indiana, has been in law enforcement for the past four years.

The DWI Enforcer Awards were presented to at least 24 area law enforcement officers. This year’s top two awardees were Trooper J.P. Katzenberger of the N.C. Highway Patrol, who was responsible for ridding the streets of 182 DWI offenders and Trooper W.C. Townsend, who added 144 more. Both troopers are assigned to Troop B, District 1.

Other officers honored at the ceremony and dinner included Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department’s Toby Bryer, who had 31 arrests and Willard Cornell, who added another 25.
Fayetteville police officer Anthony Robinson had 28 DWI arrests and fellow officer Charles Cochran removed an additional 18 drunk drivers from the city’s streets. For the Hope Mills police department, Officer Brad Allee removed 34 DWI offenders from the streets, while officer Josh Hamilton was responsible for 10 arrests.

Other North Carolina Highway patrol officers included Trooper R.K. Williams, who arrested 45 DWI offenders; Trooper C.H. Strickland, who arrested 33; Trooper D.B. Strickland who arrested 109 drunk drivers and J.T. Locklear added 74 arrests.

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