Deputy Mark Crandell Is Honored As County DUI Officer Of The Year

By Tammy Gray-Searles
   Navajo County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Crandell was recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) as the Navajo County DUI Officer of the Year at the group’s annual DUI enforcement awards banquet held Feb. 12 in Phoenix.
   Crandell was nominated for the award by his supervisors, who noted that he was self-motivated to learn more about DUI enforcement. In order to successfully identify and prepare more DUI cases for prosecution, Crandell became a certified phlebotomist and obtained his certification in horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN). HGN is a field sobriety test that uses involuntary reactions of the eye to help determine sobriety.
   In the nomination letter, Commander Heidi Person wrote, “During 2009, Deputy Crandell (handled) a total of 13 DUIs, which is the highest total for any NCSO deputy. He also showed the most improvement in the number of DUIs he handled between 2008 and 2009.
   “Deputy Crandell was also involved in his community by participating in ‘Teen Maze,’ which is geared toward, among other things, teaching children about the effects of alcohol and drugs by simulating the difficulties of driving while impaired.
   “He is also one of the most active NCSO deputies in the White Mountain DUI Task Force.”
   Crandell noted that the awards banquet became more than a ceremony for him as he got to spend time speaking with a family that lost a child to a drunk driver in 2008.
   “It was emotional, as well as an honor to be there,” he said.
   Among those who congratulated him on the award were MADD administrator Jane Hulverson, Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Director Alberto Guteir and Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard.
   MADD notes that its mission “is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.” The organization offers educational programs and resources for preventing underage drinking, an organized campaign against drinking and driving, services for victims of drunk drivers and support for law enforcement DUI programs, as well as research and lobbying for strengthened DUI laws.
   The organization also works to increase law enforcement visibility, especially as it relates to DUI enforcement.
   “Highly visible law enforcement crackdowns, including checkpoints and saturation patrols, are proven to keep drunk drivers off the road,” the organization’s Drunk Driving Enforcement Fact Sheet notes. “MADD is working with law enforcement agencies, as well as federal, state and local governments, to increase DUI enforcement, especially during peak holiday periods.”
   Crandell noted that he was pleased to have been honored, and he plans to continue his DUI enforcement efforts.
   “It was a great experience,” he said.