ALGOOD OFFICERS HONORED FOR ROLE IN RECENT DRUG BUST

Three Algood police officers received certificates of recognition
from the town of Algood recently for their work in a drug arrest in
Putnam County.Detective David Hunter, Patrolwoman Deanna Judkins, and
Patrolman Jim Hurley each received a certificate "For exhibiting
professionalism as a police officer which resulted in the seizure of
19.5 lbs. of marijuana, and helped the City of Algood become a more
drug-free environment." In late January, Hunter, who has been on the
Algood police force since September, learned of a quantity of drugs
about to pass through Algood on their way to Baxter.

"I intercepted some information which led to the seizure of 19 lbs of
marijuana," said Hunter, who said he couldn't give many details about
the case because it's still in the courts.

But apparently because of his information, the Algood officers
retrieved a quantity of marijuana at a Cookeville business and
learned that it was being taken to Baxter, allegedly to be sold to an
assistant coach at Upperman High School.

"I wanted to do more than just get 19 lbs. of drugs off the street,"
Hunter said. "Algood is a great little town, but it has limited
resources, so I contacted the TBI's narcotics division and they
brought in the 13th Judicial Task Force."

The law officers decided to send the now intercepted marijuana on to
its final destination and participate in a 'controlled delivery' of
the substance.

A 'controlled delivery' is an arrangement whereby a drug deal goes
through while law officers observe it in secret.

By the time the drug bust went down on Jan. 28, participants from
five different agencies cooperated in the arrest of Upperman High
School assistant football coach, Vincent Lamar Griffin, and the
seizure of 19.5 lbs. of marijuana he had allegedly bought.

The Algood Police Dept., the Baxter Police Dept., the Putnam County
Sheriff's Dept., the TBI, and the 13th Judicial Task Force combined
forces, and, with the cooperation of Upperman High School Principal
Jerry Boyd, participated in the 'controlled delivery' of the drugs at
the Upperman High football field.

Hunter made the arrest, with officers Judkins and

Hurley participating in the controlled delivery.

Police Chief Don Crabtree praised the three officers for their
participation in the drug bust.

"Police officers don't ever get recognition. Usually they just get
complaints" he said. "I'm proud of these officers and the work
they've been doing.

"For them to take that much dope off the street in a small town where
there are few resources deserves so much credit, I'd give them a gold
statue if I could."

Instead, the officers received a paper certificate from Mayor David
Dillon, with additional verbal thanks from the town's council members.