Governor’s weekly address: Honoring a Northwest Arkansas State Trooper – SWARK Today

Governor Hutchinson’s weekly radio handle may be present in MP3 format and downloaded HERE.

LITTLE ROCK – Right this moment I’m going to inform the story of an Arkansas State Trooper who put his personal security in danger to serve and defend a driver via a superb deed {that a} Climate Channel reporter videotaped and posted on-line.

The trooper’s motion was enterprise as ordinary for state troopers and cops. However because the Climate Channel photographer stated, you don’t usually have the possibility to {photograph} the nice work of cops for others to see.

The trooper that Charles Peek noticed in motion is Richard Surrette, who patrols in Northwest Arkansas. Sooner or later in mid-Could, Trooper Surette went to assistance from a driver who was stranded at Mile Marker 78 on Interstate 49 close to Rogers.

When Trooper Surrette arrived, Jim Dacus was standing beside his automobile making ready to vary his tire. Troopers should not required to help with flat tires. They direct site visitors and customarily make sure the tire changer is protected. However Trooper Surrette says he has modified tons of of tires. So he modified the tire.

Trooper Surrette, whose father additionally was in regulation enforcement, began his profession as a Benton County deputy, the place he rose to the rank of corporal. The motive force with the flat tire, Jim Dacus, is a 75-year-old veteran who grew up in Wynne and served as an Air Drive intelligence officer through the Vietnam Struggle.

By the point Charles Peek occurred upon the scene, the tire was modified, however he taped Trooper Surrette speaking to Mr. Dacus via the driving force’s window, and filmed their smiles and handshake. Mr. Peek posted the movie to his Twitter web page with these phrases: “MUST SEE! I noticed Trooper Surrette altering the tire for this motorist. He completed simply as I acquired circled to video. Police are doing many good issues however not usually ‘caught’ on video. Thanks, Trooper Surrette!”

State Police Director Colonel Invoice Bryant lately spoke to a regulation enforcement group in Seattle, the place Arkansas State Trooper Spencer Morris was honored as a Trooper of the 12 months. Colonel Bryant famous that 500 Arkansas State Troopers patrol greater than 16 thousand miles of state highways each day, they usually regularly cease to serve the residents, whether or not it’s altering a flat tire or listening for a minute to somebody’s concern.

They are a part of the material that holds native communities collectively. They’re among the many greatest skilled regulation enforcement officers within the nation, devoted and all the time able to serve. They put aside dangers every day to make their state a safer and higher place to name house.

Trooper Morris, by the way in which, was honored for pursuing a stolen automobile even after the suspect fired a weapon and shot the trooper within the chest. Thankfully, Trooper Morris was carrying a bulletproof vest.

Regardless that Trooper Surrette’s help was a routine tire change, he is aware of first-hand that even routine duties can finish badly. Years in the past, as a Benton County deputy, he investigated a deadly accident on the similar intersection the place he helped Mr. Dacus. The sufferer that evening was struck and killed by a automobile as he modified a flat tire.

Officers defend us as a result of that’s what they like to do. They may let you know they’re simply doing their job. Thanks Richard Surrette, Spencer Morris, and all of your co-officers in any respect ranges of regulation enforcement who take care of us by merely doing all of your job.