The Bogalusa Rotary Club named Officer Jeremy Stogner as its “Police Officer of the Year” during Tuesday’s club meeting.

Each year, the Rotary Club hands out awards to citizens in various categories, including teachers, deputy sheriffs, and firefighters. Bogalusa Police Chief Kendall Bullen said that Stogner is worthy of the recognition.

“Just about every year, he could have been nominated for this award,” Bullen said. “Jeremy is a fine officer and well deserving of this award.

“Officer Stogner is proactive, productive and a knowledgeable police officer.”

Stogner joined the Bogalusa Police Department in 2002, when he was employed by the city jail as a corrections officer. In 2005, he transferred from the corrections division to the patrol division.

Bullen said that Stogner not only has his regular duties as a patrol officer, but is also a field training officer.

In 2016, Stogner graduated from a field training supervisor academy, and has since helped the BPD revamp and modernize its field training program, Bullen said. Stogner’s shift commander, Capt. Wendell O’Berry, is also the commander of the field training program, and Bullen said they work well together.

“Stogner is dedicated to mentoring and training new recruits,” he said.

Bullen said that he personally had the chance to supervise Stogner for a number of years as a shift commander, and considers him “an outstanding professional police officer.”

“Stogner’s work ethic and professionalism brings credit to himself, the Bogalusa Police Department and the police profession,” Bullen said. “He’s doing an excellent job for the city of Bogalusa.”

Stogner said that he appreciated the work that Bullen has done since becoming police chief, and thanked the Rotary for continuing to honor police officers each year.

“I just want to thank Chief Bullen for everything he’s done for us so far,” Stogner said. “We’ve got the right man for that job in that position, we’re headed in the right direction. Thank you all for this event, and I appreciate everybody coming.”

Several city officials were present to watch Stogner receive the award, including Mayor Wendy Perrette, City Prosecutor David Merlin Duke and Assistant Police Chief Gene Crosby. Also present were O’Berry, Stogner’s shift captain, Stogner’s wife Wendy Knight and his mother.

Bullen said that he also appreciated the Rotary’s support of police and other first responders.

“I want to thank Rotary for continuing to support the police department and the city of Bogalusa,” Bullen said.