Six Montgomery County and City Police Officers Honored for DUI Enforcement

[Howard Hartman]

For Immediate Release                                 October 10, 2008

Six Montgomery County and City
Police Officers Honored for DUI Enforcement

Seventh-Annual Event Recognizes Decrease
in Impaired Driving Crashes, Honors Maryland’s Finest

(October 10, 2008) Six Montgomery County, Rockville and Gaithersburg police officers were recently recognized for their outstanding commitment to the State’s fight against drunk driving. Each honoree was presented with a Law Enforcement Medal and a uniform bar for exceptional service, and each was recognized, joined by friends and family members for their dedication to removing one of the deadliest threats facing Maryland’s citizens - impaired drivers.

“The awardees represent the front lines in the fight against drunk driving in our state,” remarked Maryland State Highway Administrator and Governor’s Highway Safety Representative Neil J. Pedersen. “We owe so much to these men and women as we stand committed to winning Maryland’s fight against impaired driving.”

In all, statewide law enforcement made more than 24,000 arrests in 2008 for DUI or DWI-related offenses. Two local officers were recognized for having made more than 100 individual DUI arrests in 2007. Officer II Jonathan Bennet, Gaithersburg Police Department and Officer John P. Romack, Montgomery County Police Department were honored with a special plaque known as the “Ace Award.”

The event began with a presentation of colors by Winters Mill High School Jr. Army ROTC Color Guard and a performance of the National Anthem by the Liberty High School Choir. Mr. Bob Turk from CBS Channel 13 served as the Master of Ceremonies, and the officers’ received a captivating and motivational speech from retired Louisiana State Trooper, Colonel James Champagne.

The local officers honored are:

Montgomery County Police

Officer John Romack    Officer Richard Burge

Rockville City Police

Officer Michael Sullivan    Officer John Pfaehler


Gaithersburg Police

Officer I. Shane Eastman    Officer Jonathan Bennet

During 2007, Maryland achieved a reduction in impaired driving crashes and according to preliminary data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, additional reductions were made in associated fatalities. This is encouraging news and we owe a great deal to the continued dedication shown by officers statewide.

Maryland public and private partners have launched the Choose Safety for Life campaign, which emphasizes impaired driving prevention. More than 600 lives could be saved every year if everyone followed these five rules of the road represented by the acronym B-SAFE: Buckle up, Slow down - speeding kills; Always drive sober, Focus, Everyone share the road - everyone gets home.