Tompkins named Officer of the Year

By Staff
Nathan Strickland
A slideshow full of police photographs and two actual police chases were being shown as the Russellville Police department gathered at the A. W. Todd Centre Monday night.
Mayor Troy Oliver and his wife, Brenda, attended to support the hard work and dedication the RPD exhibited this year.
City councilmen Lanny Hubbard, David Grissom, Gary Cummings, and Jeff Masterson were also in attendance.
After a delightful meal, Police Chief Chris Hargett passed out 24 certificates of appreciation to officers within the force.
Hargett then congratulated Officer Jake Tompkins for being named Police Officer of the year, voted on by his peers.
Tompkins was involved in a shooting situation that took place earlier this year.
Tompkins said he is very gracious and humbled by the award.
Chief Hargett then proceeded to recognize the shift that was working that fateful day.
The police officers on duty that day included Tompkins, Lt. Mike Prince, Bill Simpson, Sgt. Jeremy Hall, and dispatcher Reece Coan.
At the end, Mayor Oliver spoke honoring the memory of Dispatcher Gary McClusky who had passed away earlier this year.