Cape Girardeau County Sheriff presents awards to outstanding officers, employees

JACKSON, Mo. (KBSI) – The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office observed Law Enforcement Memorial Week by presenting awards to outstanding officers and employees of the sheriff’s office on Wednesday.

Cape Girardeau County Sheriff Ruth Ann Dickerson presented the 2022 Timothy J. Ruopp Award to Richard Rushin.

The Timothy J. Ruopp Award is presented to the outstanding law enforcement officer nominated from the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office ranks. The Timothy J. Ruopp Award is the “Highest Tribute for Outstanding Service To His Department, Community and His Fellow Officers In The Name of Timothy J. Ruopp.” The Timothy J. Ruopp Award has been presented to the outstanding officer of the year since 1984 in honor of Timothy J. Ruopp. He was a past employee of the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office who was killed in the line of duty as a law enforcement officer in San Diego, California.

Richard Rushin began his career as the jail administrator in the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office in March 2021.

Sheriff Dickerson also presented four Copeland Excellence Awards. The Copeland Excellence Awards have been presented since 1995. An employee from each division, Field Operations, Business Operations, and Jail Operations of the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office was chosen. This year four awards will be presented, with two coming from Field Operations.

The Copeland Excellence Award is “Given In Honor Of Former Cape Girardeau County Sheriff Norman Copeland.” Copeland commanded respect and strived for excellence in the performance of the official office of sheriff, according to the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff Dickerson. This award is given to “The Employee Of The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office Who Has Demonstrated They Are Indeed Striving For Excellence In The Performance Of The Task Assigned To Them.”

Sheriff Norman Copeland served Cape Girardeau County from March 1986 until his retirement in July 1994.

The winner(s) of each division:

• Field Operations: Perry Hazelwood/Brian Eggers
  • Perry Hazelwood started with the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office in October 2021 as a Patrol Deputy assigned to the Warrant Task Force. He continues to serve in that capacity.
  • Brian Eggers started with the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office in September 2021 as a Patrol Deputy assigned to the Warrant Task Force. He continues to serve in that capacity.
• Business Operations: Austin Hahs
  • Austin Hahs started with the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office in August 2021 as the Maintenance Staff Supervisor. He continues to serve in that capacity.
• Jail Operations: Kenton Martin
  • Kenton Martin started with the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office in September 2021 as a Civilian Corrections Officer in the Jail Division. In May 2022, he was promoted to Deputy Sheriff in the Jail Division. He continues to serve in that capacity.