Local officers honored with Footprint awards

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Four local law enforcement officers were recently honored as personnel of the year by the Yakima chapter of the International Footprint Association.

The awards were presented during an annual ceremony at the Yakima Elks Golf and Country Club in Selah.

The recipients were Detective Ed Levesque of the Yakima County Sheriff's Office, Officer Terryl Way of the Union Gap Police Department, Trooper Jim Brown of the Washington State Patrol and Detective Michael Blankenbaker of the Yakima Police Department.

Each agency provided information about the officers in nominating letters.

Levesque, the lead investigator in one of the homicide cases investigated by the sheriff's office in 2009, was recognized as being a highly motivated deputy who requires little supervision. He was hired by the the sheriff's office in 2004.

Way was recognized for his productivity; he led the department in 2009 for arrests and contacts of individuals. He has been with the department since 2007.

Brown is considered an informal leader of his detachment and arrested 51 intoxicated drivers over about 100 night shifts in 2009. He has been a trooper since 1988.

Blankenbaker was described as a tireless investigator who always tries to do the best with his cases. He is a 30-year veteran of the force.

The Footprint club is made up of law enforcement officials and civilian supporters of law enforcement.