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Locust Police Chief Jeff Shew recognized three Locust Police Department officers for outstanding performance during 2023 at Thursday’s Locust City Council meeting.

Officer Tim Hartsell received the Steven “Smitty” Smith Award, presented to the Locust Police Department Officer of the Year for 2023.

After coming to Locust from the Albemarle Police Department, Hartsell has earned the NC Law Enforcement Driver Training certification, the only officer in Stanly County to possess this. He was named three times as Officer of the Month,and will complete his Advanced Law Enforcement Certification. He is scheduled to be promoted to the rank of corporal in July.

Officer Adam Hartsell was named the department’s Traffic Enforcement Officer of the Year. He was named Officer of the Month three times during 2023 and led the department in case clearance.

Cpl. Ryan Tran-Thompson received the Department Leadership Award. He was named Officer of the Month twice during 2023, was promoted to the rank of corporal and earned his certification as a field training officer.

Mayor Steve Huber congratulated all three officers on their achievements.

“It is amazing what we have here in Locust,” he said. “These officers’ excellent professionalism reflects outstanding leadership throughout the department. We should never take what they do for granted.”

Toby Thorpe is a freelance writer for The Stanly News & Press.