Press Release
Local Law Enforcement Officer Honored for Commitment to Drug Abuse Prevention
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Iowa
A law enforcement officer from Sioux City, Iowa, is being honored by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for his commitment to reducing drug abuse. A recipient of the 2018 Enrique S. Camarena Award is Lieutenant Brad Bollinger of the Sioux City Police Department.
The award is named after Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was an 11-year veteran agent of the DEA before being kidnapped, brutally tortured and then murdered in Mexico in 1985 while working undercover gathering information and evidence about drug lords. This award is presented each year to local law enforcement officers who best exemplify the qualities and principles for which Agent Camarena gave his life—specifically, making their communities a safer place to live through outstanding drug prevention and enforcement efforts.
This year’s award recipient has gone above and beyond the call of duty in pursuit of a drug-free community:
- Lieutenant Brad Bollinger has demonstrated a lifelong dedication to fighting drug abuse and working with young people. Through his work for many years with the GREAT and DARE programs, Lieutenant Bollinger provided valuable anti-drug and anti-gang curriculum to young students in multiple schools. In his capacity leading the Department’s Youth Bureau and as the Community Policing Coordinator, Lieutenant Bollinger developed and coordinated numerous programming activities aimed at keeping young people involved in lawful activities and away from criminal activity and drug abuse. From creating programs such as the “Books for Kids” program, to securing grants to combat opioid abuse, to serving on various boards and advisory committees focused on combatting drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse among minors, Lieutenant Bollinger has demonstrated a robust passion for securing bright futures for young people in the community.
Peter E. Deegan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa, stated, “Lieutenant Bollinger is a worthy recipient of the Enrique S. Camarena award. He is a true public servant who recognizes that there are certain problems that cannot be solved through criminal prosecution alone. Sioux City is safer due to his hard work and dedication to the young people in our community.”
“The Enrique S. Camarena award is given each year to law enforcement professionals who personify the strong character and values of our fallen colleague,” Darin Thimmesch, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Omaha Division said. “These award winners truly represent the best of Special Agent Camarena with their passion, commitment and generosity continuously on display in their work and home life. It is an honor to recognize these men for their outstanding investigative efforts that have aided in disrupting the illegal activities of drug trafficking organizations from in and around Iowa.”
U.S. Attorney Deegan will present Lt. Bollinger his award at the Sioux City Police Department’s Spring Awards and Promotions Ceremony on May 16, 2019. The ceremony will be held at 7:00p.m. at the Betty Strong Encounter Center.
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Updated May 17, 2019
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Community Outreach
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