The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce one of its members has been honored for his efforts to further stop drunken driving.

Sgt. Hunter Rankin was selected by the southern Arizona’s chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving to receive the 2011 Dr. Andy Nichols Award.

PCSO Sgt. Rankin pictured with his fiancé, Janell Brashier, after receiving the 2011 Dr. Andy Nichols Award.

Rankin was formally announced as this year’s recipient at the annual MADD ceremony Tuesday evening in Tucson.

Each year the Dr. Andy Nichols Award recognizes the commitment made by individuals to make the streets of our communities safer through aggressive impaired driving enforcement and continued education.

This is the second consecutive year a member from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has been selected for this honor. Last year’s recipient was PCSO deputy Ryan Pass.

Rankin, a 15-year member of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, began his career with adult detention before becoming a patrol deputy in 2000. He currently serves as the traffic/motor unit supervisor which oversees the Pinal County Regional DUI Taskforce.

In 2010, PCSO deputies arrested 116 drivers for misdemeanor DUI and 15 for aggravated DUI. The number of impaired drivers arrested in 2011 is expected to surpass last year’s totals. Thus far, 116 drivers have been arrested for DUI and 26 for aggravated DUI.

Sgt. Rankin stated, “I’m humbled to have been selected as this year’s recipient of the Dr. Andy Nichols Award. This would not have happened without the selfless PCSO traffic and patrol deputies who put their lives on the line, to save the lives of others. I am proud to say that current data indicates our deputies have saved at least 142 lives as of September by taking impaired drivers off our roadways.”

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “I’m very proud to have one of my deputies selected for the second time in as many years for this honor. DUI enforcement isn’t just about arresting impaired drivers; it’s about saving lives. There’s no doubt Sergeant Rankin’s efforts and initiatives to stop drunken driving have spared countless encounters between law enforcement and citizens who have to learn there family member isn’t coming home.”