ROCKLAND, Maine — Knox County sheriff’s officers were among those honored last week at the Maine Sheriffs’ Association conference in Portland.
At the March 19 conference, Detective Dwight Burtis was an honorable mention for the annual Deputy of the Year Award.
Burtis’ primary duty is to curb domestic violence, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. Burtis was vitally important in the pursuit, arrest and conviction of an Illinois man for interstate stalking. The man, who was sentenced to serve 46 months in prison, was quoted as wanting to “start the worst bloodbath in America,” and he threatened to kill members of the victim’s family from Maine to California.
“Burtis worked vigorously with other local and out of state agencies to hold the man responsible and assure the safety of all,” according to the news release.
Chief Deputy Tim Carroll was awarded the association’s Manager of the Year award, which was presented “in recognition of exemplary management skills and many other superior contributions to the Knox County sheriff’s office and to the law enforcement profession.”
Carroll, who was nominated by Sheriff Donna Dennison, was recognized for his professional efforts within the agency and as chairman of the sheriffs’ association. He is past president of the Maine Lobster Festival and served 20 years as a sports coach.
Also, Deputy Arthur Smith recently was recognized as the Knox County Sheriff’s Office 2014 Deputy of the Year.
“Deputy Smith always represents himself as a true professional and reinforces those efforts representing the Knox County sheriff’s office at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy as a lead instructor to all law enforcement officers statewide. Deputy Smith donates many hours of his own time instructing others on operating under the influence enforcement and methods of arrest, restraint and control at the academy,” the release states.