By Erin Smith, Journal and Courier

Six police officers were honored Friday afternoon for their efforts in
getting impaired drivers off the road.

The West Central Indiana chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving presented six police officers from the five agencies in Tippecanoe County with the 2003 Top Cop Award. Plaques were given to the officers with the most operating while intoxicated arrests for their law enforcement agency.

Four of the officers were Top Cop for their agencies for the second year in
a row.

"I'm glad I could keep up the good work," Jason Philower, of the West
Lafayette Police Department said.

Philower made 45 OWI arrests in 2003, up from 41 the year before.

In 2003 Tippecanoe County police officers made 1,064 OWI arrests. Almost
1,200 OWI arrests were made in 2002.

MADD president Dan Towery said last year's numbers, when compared to 2001 and 2002, indicate a "status quo."

Indiana State Trooper Kris Fitzgerald spent only six months working out of
Lafayette's post before he was transferred to Terre Haute. In that time, he
made 26 OWI arrests.

"I'm really proud of this," he said. "This is 26 lives potentially saved."

Rob Hainje, of the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department, said taking
impaired drivers off the road can positively affect other people's lives.

"This is one area that I feel we make an instant impact in society ...
possibly even save lives."

Recognized

MADD's Top Cops and their OWI arrests

Rob Hainje, Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department, 50

Brad Bishop, Lafayette Police Department, 49

Jason Philower, West Lafayette Police Department, 45

Kris Fitzgerald, Indiana State Police, 26

Scott Andrews and Missy Cosby (tie), Purdue University Police Department, 13 each