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Roger Buchholz named East River

‘D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year’

Pierre-  “In all my years of presenting the D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year award, I have never seen a nomination like the one I received for this gentleman,” commented South Dakota D.A.R.E. Coordinator Shannon Hinrichs, during the annual meeting of the South Dakota D.A.R.E. Officers Association in Pierre July 24.

Roger Buchholz of Highmore, who is one of the original 34 D.A.R.E. officers in the State of South Dakota, has been teaching D.A.R.E. in Highmore’s fifth grade classes for the past 20 years. He was recognized for his efforts during the meeting and presented a plaque naming him the 2008 East River D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year. Roger has been a Law Enforcement Officer for 22 years in the State of South Dakota.

     Letters of nomination were sent to Hinrichs from Janna Larson, fifth grade teacher, reflecting on his interaction with the students and their enthusiasm to participate in his program; Supt. Elsie Baye, reflecting on his deep feelings for the youth of the area; the fifth grade students, reflecting on how easy he is to talk to and how they trust him; Hyde County Sheriff Mike Volek, reflecting on his experience of working with Buchholz and his inspiration to the children of the community; Mayor Vikki Day, reflecting on his dedication to the students and the community and the values he teaches the students; and Fire Chief Mike Ashdown, reflecting on his dedication and service to the community, as well as to the students, with emphasis on the trust they have for him.

     The Ron Tennill D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year award was first presented in 1993. Each year since that time, one officer from East River and one officer from West River is selected for the award to recognize them for reaching out to the youth of South Dakota with unending enthusiasm.

Deputy Ron Tennill served the people of Redfield and Spink County as a law enforcement officer for 42 years. Tennill believed in preventative law enforcement and dedicated much of his time to the education of young people. He pioneered many unique efforts to reach youth with humor and ventriloquism. He was certified as a D.A.R.E. officer at the first D.A.R.E. Officer Training in 1988, along with Roger Buchholz and 32 other officers. He was determined to continue his youth education mission even after he was diagnosed with cancer. He continued to serve the youth of Spink County until his death in 1992. This award is given to D.A.R.E. officers who share Deputy Tennill’s determination and dedication.

     Roger and his wife, Diane, have two children, Roxanne and Clint; and four grandchildren, Grady and Cole Oakley and Elizabeth and Rebecca Buchholz. Roger is a 1969 graduate of Highmore High School.

(L) D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year, Roger Buchholz

with South Dakota

D.A.R.E. Coordinator (R) Shannon Hinrichs

D.A.R.E Officer of the Year

Roger Buchholz with family and friend

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