More than 250 state and local law enforcement agencies were today honored at the 18th Annual Operation Pull Over Awards Banquet at the Ritz Charles in Carmel, Ind.

Hosted by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and the Governor’s Council on Impaired & Dangerous Driving, the banquet paid tribute to state and local law enforcement agencies in appreciation for their year round efforts to improve traffic safety and save lives.

“The success of Indiana’s Operation Pull Over initiative would not be possible without the unwavering commitment of the law enforcement agencies that lead these efforts,” said ICJI Executive Director, Mary Allen. “As a result of the increased enforcement and participation of these agencies, Indiana is making significant strides in traffic safety – including a current seatbelt usage record of 93.6 percent – a record high.”

Efforts conducted through Operation Pull Over rely on a dual strategy involving high visibility enforcement and heightened public awareness to deter impaired driving and increase seat belt usage. Operation Pull Over is structured in four quarterly campaigns and is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Each campaign consists of an influx of public awareness using television, radio, Internet and outdoor advertising coupled with two weeks of increased enforcement.

More than 50 awards were handed out at this year’s banquet in recognition of outstanding performance in a variety of categories. These award winning law enforcement agencies in conjunction with other partnering Operation Pull Over agencies will soon conduct a Safe Family Travel blitz Nov. 16 to Dec. 2.

The blitz will focus on occupant protection and impaired driving in an effort to ensure safety on Indiana roadways during the heavily traveled Thanksgiving holiday.  Following is a list of award winners honored at Friday’s banquet.

Governor’s Council Chairman’s Award

• Dr. James Klaunig – Professor, Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health – Indiana University – Bloomington
• Mike Medler – Director, Marion County Forensics Services Agency

ICJI Executive Director’s Award

• Sgt. Eric Dunn – Indiana State Police

Coordinator of the Year Award

• Steve Rudzinski – Lake County Traffic Safety Partnership

Operation Pullover Police Departments

• Small Police Department – Cannelton Police Department
• Medium Police Department – North Vernon Police Department
• Large Police Department – Avon Police Department
• Best in State Police Department – Winamac Police Department

Operation Pullover Sheriff’s Departments

• Small Sheriff’s Department – Wabash County Sheriff’s Department
• Large Sheriff’s Department – Marshall County Sheriff’s Department
• Best in State Sheriff’s Department – Posey County Sheriff’s Department

Big City/Big County Police Departments

• BCC Small Police Department – Lake Station Police Department
• BCC Medium Police Department – Merrillville Police Department
• BCC Large Police Department – Tell City Police Department

Big City/Big County Sheriff’s Departments

• BCC Small Sheriff’s Department – Vigo County Sheriff’s Department
• BCC Large Sheriff’s Department – Hendricks County Sheriff’s Department
• BCC Best in State Sheriff’s Department – Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office

DUI/Task Forces
Small Task Force – Marshall County Sheriff’s Department

• Bourbon Police Department
• Bremen Police Department
• Culver Police Department
• Plymouth Police Department

Medium Task Force – Clark County Traffic Safety Partnership

• Charlestown Police Department
• Clark County Sheriff’s Department
• Jeffersonville Police Department
• Sellersburg Police Department

Large Task Force – St. Joseph County Traffic Safety Partnership

• Lakeville Police Department
• Mishawaka Police Department
• New Carlisle Police Department
• North Liberty Police Department
• Notre Dame Police Department
• Walkerton Police Department

Best in State Task Force – Franklin/Ripley County Traffic Safety Partnership

• Batesville Sheriff’s Department
• Franklin County Sheriff’s Department

Outstanding Traffic Safety Partnerships

• Decatur County Traffic Safety Partnership (Efficiency Agency)
• Decatur County Sheriff’s Department
• Greensburg Police Department

Dearborn County Traffic Safety Partnership (Small Agency)

• Aurora Police Department
• Greendale Police Department
• Lawrenceburg Police Department

Marion County Traffic Safety Partnership (Large Agency)

• Beech Grove Police Department
• Cumberland Police Department
• Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
• Lawrence Police Department
• Speedway Police Department

Indiana State Police – Superior DUI Enforcement

• Trooper Patrick Stinson
• Trooper Brian Rubesha