Three local law enforcement officers were recognized for their efforts to increase the use of seat belts and child restraints in vehicles.
Law enforcement officers from 120 agencies across Kentucky were honored at the Governor’s Occupant Protection Enforcement Awards ceremony in Lexington Friday. Awards were presented to officers with the most occupant protection citations in each individual agency of the six recognized divisions and within Kentucky State Police.
According to the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety, Lyon County Sheriff’s Deputy Seth P’Pool, who is a native of Caldwell County, was recognized in Division 1 for his enforcement of seat belt and child restraint laws. In addition, Christian County Sheriff’s Department Patrol Sergeant David King was recognized in Division 3, which includes agencies with 26 to 50 officers, and Hopkinsville Police Department Sergeant Federico Rodriquez was recognized in Division 4, which includes agencies with 51 to 100 officers.
Kentucky State Police Post 1 in Mayfield Trooper First Class Nathan Clinkenbeard, a native of Trigg County, was recognized as a winner in Division 6. He is assigned to Trigg and Lyon counties.
All winners received a plaque, while the top three division winners were presented with the Highway Safety All-Star Award, which is a commemorative baseball bat from Louisville Slugger.
With the passage of the primary law, Kentucky’s seat belt usage rate increased from 67 percent in 2006 to 89.9 percent in 2018.
(Written by Audrey Lamb/WPKY)
