Smith Named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year

Cindy Smith, investigator with the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office, was named the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, and received the award Thursday.

The award reads, “2017 Award for Excellence in Action Against Domestic Violence.”

Sheriff Larry Lane stated, “Congratulations to Sheriff's Investigator Cindy Smith on her award today from the state attorney general’s office in Oklahoma City. I proudly nominated Cindy for her hard work, dedication, and compassion for the victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence. We are lucky to have her on our team. Thank you, Cindy, for everything you do!”

Smith responded, “Thank you Larry for nominating me. It’s an honor to have the award. I appreciate it.”

Smith has served as a police officer since 1995 when she joined the Roland Police Department. She has also worked as an investigator for the district attorney’s office and the sheriff’s office where she is currently employed.

Smith specializes in child abuse and domestic abuse cases, which are a passion with her.

Smith has also begun writing grant applications for the sheriff’s office, and several have been received. She said the office received a grant for overtime pay for deputies working crime cases such as homicides, rapes, assault and battery cases.

A $58,700 grant was received to hire a fulltime victim’s advocate, also known as a VOCA, a Victims of Crime Advocate. The advocate helps and counsels crime victims, and can even provide transportation to and from court if needed, Smith said.

Other grants applied for include a U.S. Department of Justice grant for bullet-proof vests, a block grant for four computers that deputies can keep in their patrol cars, and a Victim’s Rights Grant.

Smith said April 8 through 14 is Victims’ Rights Week, and she plans on using the grant to hold informational meetings for the public. Smith said she has already reserved the Sequoyah County Fairgrounds building for the meeting.

“Even if they don’t give me any money, I going to find it somewhere for Victims Rights Week,” Smith said.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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