Arkansas Department of Corrections Officer Ashanti Burris was named Howard County’s Officer of the Year
BENTON – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge recently hosted the 2022 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year awards and recognition luncheon in Benton.
Rutledge announced this year’s overall Officer of the Year awards went to Forth Smith Police Officer Robin Gaines and Hot Springs Police Officers Stephen Parrott and James Moore.
Officer Gaines intervened in a domestic violence dispute, where he was seriously injured, which was pivotal to ending the tragic crime.
Parrott and Moore were recognized for stopping a shooting after a high school graduation ceremony outside the Hot Springs Convention Center, ultimately saving countless lives.
Rutledge also announced Officer of the Year awards for all 75 counties with Pike County’s pick being Arkansas State Trooper Seth Smedley.
Smedley, 28, has been in law enforcement for three years, all with the Arkansas State Police. He started his first ASP assignment in Pike County in September 2020.
“It was quite an honor,” Smedley said about winning the award after just three years on the job.
Smedley attended the recognition event in Benton with mother, wife and new baby daughter.
Howard County’s Officer of the Year award went to Arkansas Department of Corrections Officer Ashanti Burris, who has worked in law enforcement for two and a half year.
When asked why she thinks she received the award, she replied, “Because I’m good at my job.”
Other area county Officer of the Year awards went to:
Clark County
Caddo Valley Police Chief Aaron Collier
Little River County
Arkansas State Police Trooper 1st Class Joshua Broughton and Trooper Ian Nelson
Montgomery County
Arkansas State Police Trooper 1st Class Michael Summitt
Nevada County
Arkansas State Police Trooper Robert Neese
Sevier County
Arkansas State Police Cpl. Ernesto Echevarria and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Officer Tyler Hill
