Local County Sheriff's Deputy Honored at State Level By MADD

Illinois’ Mothers Against Drunk Driving recognized and honored law enforcement, media, volunteers, and other individuals from throughout Illinois who have made substantial efforts in supporting the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. The recognition took place Saturday at Illinois MADD’s annual Heroes Banquet, held at the Springfield, Illinois Hilton Garden Inn.

A total of 31 individuals were recognized for their efforts in impaired driving prevention with funding for the banquet coming from a grant provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation Safety. These individuals were recognized for their outstanding enforcement efforts, prevention of underage drinking, victim support or other contributions to MADD’s mission.

(DEPUTY TRAVIS BUHNERKEMPE)

Among this year’s award recipients was Deputy Travis Buhnerkempe of the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Buhnerkempe was nominated for the award by a co-worker from the Sheriff’s Office Patrol Section for his dedication to enforcement, pursuit of continuing education opportunities and willingness to assist fellow officers better their own impaired driving enforcement. The nominations were reviewed by a committee of highway safety professionals outside of MADD, using standardized criteria to carefully evaluate each nomination as the selection process is highly competitive.

Enforcement and continuous support of MADD’s mission is crucial to preventing drunk driving. In 2012 alone, 10,322 people were killed and about 290,000 were injured due to this 100% preventable crime.