TEXARKANA, Texas -- Three police officers recently were recognized for their accomplishments during the first quarter of 2022.
Officer Dewey Fleming is Officer of the Quarter. Fleming has worked for Texarkana Texas Police Department as a patrol officer and field training officer and soon will transfer to the special investigations unit as a member of the Problem-oriented Policing (POP) team. He has helped combat gang violence and works to take guns off of the street, having arrested dozens of known gang members.
Fleming's proactive policing has resulted in his making more felony arrests than any other officer, TTPD said.
"We often hear about 'impact players' in professional sports and how one player can change a team's trajectory. The same can be said of officers like Dewey Fleming. His positive attitude and incredible work ethic are not only contagious within the department but can be felt throughout our community in every encounter he makes," Chief Kevin Schutte said.
Officer Wade Johnson was awarded the Certificate of Merit. Earlier this year, Wade, a POP member, received a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children organization that someone in the Texarkana area had downloaded images that had been flagged as child pornography. With only limited information initially, he began his investigation, obtained subpoenas, and was able to identify a suspect. Johnson executed a search warrant at the suspect's home, where he found more evidence that led to the suspect's arrest.
As Wade investigated the case, he discovered the suspect was the administrator of a group of over 1,200 people involved in the creation and distribution of child pornography across the world. As a direct result of Johnson's efforts, more than 1,000 additional suspects were identified in the case worldwide and over 65,000 images were seized and removed from circulation.
Officer Colby Stratton was given the Life-Saving Award for his actions on a call in January. Stratton responded to a local home after a 911 caller said the victim was unconscious and may have overdosed on the powerful narcotic fentanyl. When he got there, he discovered that the woman's eyes were rolled back into her head and she had no pulse. Stratton immediately administered a dose of Narcan nasal spray, which resuscitated the woman. She was taken to the hospital and was able to make a full recovery.
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