SKOWHEGAN — The Maine Elks Association recently honored a Somerset County deputy sheriff for making a significant contribution in the field of drug prevention, according to a press release from the association.

A delegation of Elks Lodge members, with several members of the Skowhegan-Madison Lodge, paid tribute to Deputy Joseph A. Jackson at a ceremony at the Somerset County sheriff’s office.

Jackson was the first law enforcement officer from Somerset County to receive the Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Award, named for a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent who was killed in the line of duty in 1985.

“The Elks have a national Drug Awareness Program that is directed to our youth,” said James Ferland of Sidney, the Elks Grand Loyal Knight or second vice president of the national organization, in the release. “The Elks in Maine have been strong supporters of the program since its inception in 1982. It stresses the importance of children leading drug free lives.”

To be considered for the award, the nominee must be a law enforcement officer and a positive role model committed to a healthy lifestyle, must have made an outstanding contribution in the field of drug awareness/prevention, and must have gone beyond normal responsibilities of his or her position.

Jackson’s nomination was recommended by Sgt. Michael Knight of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department and forwarded to the MEA State Committee by Jessica Herbert, the Drug Awareness chairwoman for the Skowhegan-Madison Lodge.

J. Andrew Bolz, Chairman of the Maine Elks Association’s Drug Awareness Program said he had some excellent nominees this past year. “However, Deputy Jackson’s work ethic and dedication to the youth in Somerset County tipped the scales as far as I was concerned,” Bolz said in the release.

The presentation was made by Herbert, Bolz and immediate Past State President John Nicholson of Millinocket. Sheriff Barry Delong, Chief Deputy Dale Lancaster and several of Jackson’s co-workers also attended the ceremony.

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