Four members of the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office were recognized on Friday, October 6th during the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association annual awards banquet, held in Mid-West City.
Dispatch Lieutenant Cindy White and Sergeant Maurice James both received Meritorious Service Awards, while Sergeant David Cates was recognized by the Sheriffs Association as their 2023 Deputy of the Year. Also, and on behalf of the Deputy Justin Baxter family, Sheriff Chris West accepted the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association “Sheriff’s Cross.”
White was nominated for and received her Meritorious Service Award (MSA) in recognition of her dedication to duty, superior leadership, and supervisory skills as demonstrated on a daily basis, and especially during times of increased demands on the dispatch staff.
Sergeant James was nominated for, and received his Meritorious Service Award for his exceptional work in the area of narcotics, criminal interdictions and auto-theft. James spent an entire career in law enforcement and retired from Oklahoma City Police Department with over 30 years prior to coming to work at the Canadian County Sheriffs Office.
Sergeant David Cates, who is assigned to the Investigations Division of the Sheriffs Office was nominated for and received the coveted Oklahoma Sheriffs Association’s “Deputy of the Year” for his exceptional work in the field of Internet Crimes Against Children. Not only does Sergeant Cates work tirelessly at locating and apprehending child pedophiles, but he also serves the Sheriffs Office and the citizens of Canadian County as a member of the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Team, Coordinator of the Sheriff’s Office Peer Support Team and as a member of the Sheriffs Office Honor Guard, which he also assists in coordinating.
Canadian County Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Baxter passed away on September 8, 2022 after experiencing a heart attack only hours after getting off work. Baxter had completed his shift, and while off duty at his residence in Geary, began to experience shortness of breath and chest pains. He was transported by ambulance to Integris Hospital in Yukon, where later died. It was determined that Baxter’s death was duty related as he had experienced an extremely demanding and difficult workload the of his heart attack.
“I am extremely proud of all our people, and thankful for their dedication to duty, and the commitment they make each and every day to the citizens of Canadian County. I was very humbled to accept the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association’s “Sheriff’s Cross” on behalf of Deputy Justin Baxter’s family,” said Chris West, Canadian County Sheriff.
At the conclusion of awards portion of the banquet, OSA Past President, Sheriff Chris West administered the oath of office to incoming 2023-2024 OSA President, Logan County Sheriff Damon Devereaux.
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PHOTOS: Photo #1…. Pictured Left to Right: Undersheriff Kevin Ward, Sergeant Maurice James, Lieutenant Cindy White, Sergeant David Cates, Sheriff Chris West: Photo #2: Sheriff Chris West (pictured right) administers the oath of office to incoming OSA President, Logan County Sheriff Damon Devereaux (left).
AUTHORITY:
Sheriff Chris West
Canadian County, Oklahoma
