The Snohomish County DUI and Target Zero Traffic Safety Task Force recently held its annual awards ceremony, recognizing law enforcement, youth, businesses and individuals that contributed to traffic safety in 2010.
 
Among recipients were a Washington State Patrol trooper responsible for removing more than 200 impaired drivers from the roads during 2010 as well as a retired Everett Police officer for his 30-year career, which involved work to reduce the number of impaired drivers on the streets.
 
“The county’s DUI and Target Zero Traffic Safety Task Force is known for its work in reducing the number of traffic collisions involving impaired drivers, so any honor they bestow is well deserved,” said Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon. “I am proud of the women and men who make it part of their daily duty to keep our roads safe.”
 
Award recipients and categories included:
 
Lifetime Achievement Award – Retired Everett Police Lt. Mike Franckowiak was recognized for his 30-year career in law enforcement, which included the creation of a traffic unit and support to the DUI and Target Zero Task Force during the past five years.
 
Gold Standard Award - Washington State Patrol Trooper Elizabeth McCourt was recognized for her superior knowledge of the breath test machines, her technical expertise in maintaining the breath test machines throughout the county, and her outstanding support to law enforcement and county prosecutors regarding breath test machines and the legal challenges to their admissibility in court.
 
Gayle Whitsell Award – Jim Swearengin, Snohomish County Public Works, was recognized for being an active member of the DUI Task Force for more than a dozen years and his support and attendance at every activity and event, as well as for being a speaker on the DUI Victim Panel in remembrance of his brother, David.
 
Norma Thompson Award - Washington State Patrol Trooper Jason Bart was recognized for removing 217 impaired drivers in 2010 in 155 night shifts as part of the Target Zero Trooper Team.  
 
Community Champions
R&R Star Towing: Dan Kelleher, Robert Staggs, and Kori Payne; American Towing: Mike Marthaller and Lisa McCoy; Everett Silvertips Director of Games Rob Ramsburgh; NorthSound 1380 "Health Matters" DJs Maury Eskenazi and Shannon O’Kelley; Lake Stevens Journal Editor Pam Stevens and Production Manager Shane Kantzer; Tulalip Resort Gaming Operations President and COO Kenneth Kettler; Tulalip Tribes Consolidated Borough of Quil Ceda Village Manager Steve Gobin; Community Transit Million Mile Drivers, Training Department, and Carl Huth; Mike Shive and Mark Voth.
 
Traffic Safety Innovation and Dedication
Lynnwood Police Department, Sgt. Wayne Davis and Officer Mark Brinkman; Snohomish County Deputy Prosecutor Elise Deschenes; Tulalip Tribal Police Chief Jay Goss and Sergeant Kenn Johnson; Target Zero Law Enforcement Advisory Committee: Edmonds Sgt. Karl Roth, Everett Deputy Chief Kathy Atwood, Lynnwood Police Sgt. Wayne Davis, Mill Creek Police Services Robin Swanson; Monroe Police Deputy Chief Cherie Harris, Snohomish County Deputy Prosecutor Julie Mohr and Records Supervisor Tricia Stemler, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Capt. Tim Shea and Lt. Rodney Rochon, and WSP Captain Kenneth Ginnard; WSP Target Zero Team: Sgt. James Riley, Troopers Joel Anderson, Jerry Arnold, Jason Bart, Jeff Leonard, Sean Templeton, and Mark Ward.
 
Voices of Victims
Frank and Carol Blair; DUI Victim Panel Speakers: Adrian Paytayon, Aida Stump, Becky Banghart, Det. Craig Davis, Dawn Bruce, Debbie Tait, Dee Lawrence, Diane Aurelius, Fred Zylstra, Grant Fosheim, Karen & John Elliott, Kathy Davis, Lynda Pichler, Mary Olson, Rick Griffin, Terri Deffries, and SCSO Marshal Mark San Diego.
 
Youth Traffic Safety
Lake Stevens Police Explorer Post #87: Advisor Officer Jim Barnes and Explorer Nakei Done; Lynnwood Police Explorer Post #911: Advisor Officer Reorda and Explorer Sergeant Ben Whitcop; Mountlake Terrace Police Explorer Post #805: Advisor Det. Tim Krahn and Explorer Captain Alex Senko; SCSO Explorer Post #207: Parent Advisor Julie Tochterman and Explorer Austin Johnson; “Drive It Home” Program SCSO Det. Doug Gold; Mukilteo Police: Officers J.C. Becker and Mike Wheeler; and Munro Driving School.
 
Leaders in Law Enforcement
Arlington Police Officer Seth Kinney; Edmonds Police Officers Linda Mack and Tony Collins; Lake Stevens Officers Josh Holmes and Wayne Aukerman; Lynnwood Police Officers Chris Breault and Dennis Molloy; Marysville Police Officer Craig Bartl; Monroe Police Officer Javier Patton; Mountlake Terrace Police Officers Brian Osborn, Scott King and K9 Hunter; Mukilteo Police Officer AJ Dodds; Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Glenn Woodson and Daniel Dusevoir; Snohomish Police Officer Carl Whalen; and Tulalip Tribal Police Officer Mark Nelson
 
Task Force Ambassadors
Snohomish County Law Enforcement Volunteer Steve Fourney; Mountlake Terrace Police Analyst Joie Worthen and Property & Evidence Technician Erin Kelly; Snohomish County Deputy Prosecutor Julie Walters; DUI & Target Zero Task Force Chair Conrad Thompson; DUI Victim Panel Coordinator Jan Schemenauer; SNOPAC Supervisor Roger Brinkmann and Dispatcher Michelle Moore; Tulalip Resort Casino Beverage Compliance Manager Betzy Miller; and Washington State Patrol Trooper/PIO Keith Leary.
 
For more information, please email Tracy McMillan, Snohomish County DUI and Target Zero Task Force Coordinator, at Tracy.McMillan@co.snohomish.wa.us.