HomeMy WebLinkAboutEPD MADD Awards
City of Edina 4801 W. 50th St. Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Lauren Siebenaler, Communications Intern
Phone 952-833-9522 commintern@EdinaMN.gov EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EPD Receives Three Awards from MADD
Edina, Minn., April 18, 2017 – Two Edina Police Officers recently took home awards as the top DWI
enforcers in Minnesota. The Edina Police Department also received the 2017 Outstanding Law Enforcement
Agency Award at the April 17 Mothers Against Drinking and Driving (MADD) banquet.
“I think these awards are great! I was surprised we were awarded the outstanding law enforcement agency
since we received that last year,” said Police Chief Dave Nelson. “For us to be awarded that two years in a
row is outstanding and speaks volumes about the hard work our officers do. We have quite the crew right
now.”
Officers Ben Wenande and Jake Heckert were named two of the state’s “2016 Top DWI Enforcers.”
Wenande received the Bronze Award for making 34 DWI arrests in 2016. Heckert received the Red
Medallion Award for making 159 DWI arrests in 2016, an honor only one other recipient in the state
received.
“Jake’s current assignment in the traffic division allows him to focus his efforts more on traffic enforcement so
159 DWI arrests is outstanding in itself,” said Nelson. “As for Ben, it’s great he was recognized with an
award for this because as a patrol officer, his primary duties also include responding for calls for service. Both
are officers who are very proactive and outgoing.”
Heckert started with the Edina Police Department in January 2013 and Wenande in May 2015. Heckert went
to Faribault High School and graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He started his career in
2005 with the Minnetrista Police Department before coming to Edina. Wenande went to Eagle Ridge
Academy. He earned his associate degree from Normandale Community College and started as an Edina
Community Service Officer in November 2013. Wenande tested to be a police officer for Edina and was hired
by the department less than two years later.
For more information on the Edina Police Department, visit EdinaMN.gov/police.
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