Lafayette officer Brad Bishop also earned his third Top Cop award. The third annual event was held at Lafayette City Hall.

MADD president Dan Towery said the award was created "to give a little bit of recognition to law enforcement officers for the thankless job that they have." On Tuesday, Towery and several members of the Lafayette Police Department exulted when convicted drunken driver Nicole Fox was sentenced to 10 years in prison for causing a crash in September that critically injured two motorcyclists.

"When you look at the consequences of the victims ... Chris Harmon and Jerry (Raiff) and what they'll have to endure for the rest of their lives," said Towery, referring to the two injured men.

"Three times, basically, alcohol was involved when she (Fox) was driving a vehicle, and she was caught. It's hard to say how many times in that same time span that she wasn't caught."

West Lafayette officer Dan Phillips, who works the midnight shift, netted 59 impaired drivers in 2004 and earned his first Top Cop recognition. But perhaps more admirable than the number of arrests he made was his humble attitude.

"I'm honored by it, but I'm just out doing my job," said Phillips, who's been with the department just over two years. "You're out every day, and when you work the night shift, you're going to come across impaired drivers and you take the actions that need to be taken."

Because the department also patrols near the Purdue University campus, Phillips said he must also keep an eye out for intoxicated people walking along the streets late at night.

"They can be just as dangerous as impaired drivers," he said. "At any given time, there are twice as many people out on foot walking around."

About the Top Cop awards, Phillips said, "It's something they don't have to do, but in the back of everyone's minds, we appreciate it."

Hainje, a seven-year veteran of the sheriff's department, said he and fellow deputy Glen Keller work together to catch impaired drivers at night. Together, the two men made more than 100 OWI arrests last year.

"It's our goal to get them off the road before we have any serious crashes," Hainje said. "It's something that's very important to me."

2004 MADD Top Cop recipients

* Rob Hainje, Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department, 65 OWI arrests

* Dan Phillips, West Lafayette Police Department, 59 OWI arrests

* Brad Bishop, Lafayette Police Department, 38 OWI arrests

* Noel Kinney, Indiana State Police-Lafayette, 28 OWI arrests

* Ryan Needham, Purdue University Police Department, 10 OWI arrests

* Sarah Sheppard, Purdue University Police Department, special recognition award for outstanding service

OWI Arrests in Tippecanoe County

* 2001: 1,043 arrests

* 2002: 1,190 arrests

* 2003: 1,064 arrests