Williamson named law officer of year

Nevada Officer Amber Williamson accepts the Elks Officer of the Year Award from Steve Brooks on Friday. Also on hand for the presentation were, from left, Police Chief Graham Burnley, Brent Meisenheimer, Stephon Krohn, Blain Diehl and David Phillips. Submitted photo

Officer Amber Williamson has been named the Nevada Police Departments Officer of the Year.

The award, sponsored by the Elks, was presented to Williamson at a dinner in her honor Friday evening at the Elks Lodge.

Williamson was recognized for her excellence in police work and service to the community, according to Nevada Police Chief Graham Burnley. Williamson's success is a "testament' to her "commitment to professionalism in public safety and the highest ideals of service to the community, the chief said in a letter of appreciation he read and presented to Williamson.

Nevada Police Officer Amber Williamson shows the award she is given by the Elks Club for being named Nevada Officer of the Year. With her, from left, are Elks members Brent Meisenheimer, Stephon Krohn, Blain Diehl, Steve Brooks, Williamson and David Phillips. The award was presented Friday.

Williamson joined the Nevada Police Department in January 2012 after graduating from College of the Ozarks with a bachelor's in criminal justice.

Since joining the department, she has worked as a special investigator to support the detective bureau investigator, served on the Southwest Missouri Major Case Squad and was court police liaison in Vernon County Adult Recovery, also known as Drug Court.

Additionally, Williamson has volunteered to work for the residents of Nevada Housing Authority, Neighborhood Watch and Shop with a Cop.

Williamson "came to the Nevada Police Department as a brand new officer, established a home in our community and has become a tremendous asset to this police department," Burnley said in the letter, adding that her actions have "significantly raised the bar" for law enforcement in southwest Missouri and brought credit to her and the entire Nevada Police Department.