Berkeley Officer Named MADD 'Hero'

Berkeley Police Officer Stephanie Cole is among the officers honored with this year's "MADD California Hero Award" in the campaign against drunk driving, the Berkeley police department announced.

Cole was one of the officers honored Saturday at the MADD California Statewide Law Enforcement & Community Recognition Dinner – One Step at a Time, held at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento. MADD is known also as Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

More than 500 people from 50 of the state's 58 counties attended the dinner, where awards were presented to "individual officers, departments, state park agencies, media, and community partners whose actions and policies are aligned with our mission to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.," said a police department news release.

Cole was honored "for her contribution to help MADD achieve its mission to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime, and prevent underage drinking," the release said.

Silas Miers, MADD California Program Manager, said in a statement: “The officers recognized with the MADD California Hero Award are experts in the field of impaired driving enforcement. They are leaders in the department in arrests, prevention efforts, and training. Over 160 officers were recognized for the efforts over the last year and we believe that all of the officers have certainly saved lives by removing impaired drivers from California’s roads.” 

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