(KAIR)--Law Enforcement Officer of the Year 2016.

That honor was presented Thursday to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie by Atchison VFW Post 1175.

The award was presented by Commander Les Smith and Junior Vice-Commander Fred Gage. “We have recognized Jack as our law enforcement officer of the year because, frankly, since he’s been elected, he has done several significant issues to better the performance of his staff and also the communications in the county area for emergency services,” Gage said.

Laurie says he was surprised when Smith and Gage arrived at his office, but was curious prior to their visit based on questions posed to him by Undersheriff Joe Butner. “Undersheriff Butner was asking me if I was going to be around the office at a certain time and he wouldn’t tell me why, I really didn’t ask I guess. But, I told him I would be and here they came in, Les Smith and Fred Gage and Undersheriff Butner, it was a really nice award.”

Gage says the award began as a way to show those who serve that they are appreciated by the community. “Every year we go throughout the community looking for those individuals that have done a little bit above and beyond because these individuals on a daily basis do marvelous things for our community,” Gage said. “And, they don’t get the recognition they need. A lot of times they just say, ‘Oh, that’s my job.’ But, the VFW has been working to recognize these people a little bit more.”

Gage, who serves as Pershing Chapter Secretary and Treasurer, says the award is part of a VFW goal to provide such recognition. “For many years, the national VFW have encouraged their post commanders to recognize those individuals that do a lot of work for the community such as policeman, fireman, EMTs, hospital workers. The VFW has programs to recognize those both at the post and state level.”

One firefighter is also honored by VFW Post 1175 each year, and Gage says that recipient will be announced next week.