CRIMESTOPPERS 2008 STATS:
• 124 tips called in

• 30 arrests made

• 21 cases cleared

• $12,500 in property recovered

• $4,925 paid out in rewards

BY DANZA JOHNSON
Daily Journal

TUPELO - Prentiss County Sheriff's Deputy Sammy Henderson received the CrimeStoppers Officer of the year award at Wednesday's media luncheon.

Henderson was shocked and thrilled to receive the prestigious award.

"It's an honor to be given this award," said Henderson. "CrimeStoppers is a great program and everyone involved does a great job with it. It takes us all to make it work."

Other award winners were Andy Hughes, winner of the Community Service Award, and The Daily Corinthian and Booneville's Banner Independent won the Media Award.
Dozens of representatives from area law enforcement, media and communities from around Northeast Mississippi attended the luncheon.

Tupelo Police Office Lt. Tim Tate is the coordinator for the Northeast Mississippi Chapter of CrimeStoppers. Tate said Wednesday’s luncheon was important because three components – law enforcement, media and community – make the program work.

"Those three parts of the triangle are the reason why we are successful," said Tate. "CrimeStoppers is stronger than ever. We are making more arrests and getting more calls than ever before, thanks to a great board. This thing really works."

Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley, the keynote speaker for the event, said CrimeStoppers is essential to the community.

Contact Danza Johnson at 678-1583 or danza.johnson@djournal.com.