Each year the Tennessee Highway Safety Office recognizes law enforcement officers from across the state for their notable performances in the areas of traffic safety, impaired driver detection and looking “beyond the ticket” for traffic related stops that lead to the discovery of other crimes that would have otherwise gone undetected had it not been for a traffic violation stop.

This year, at a ceremony that was held on the outdoor grounds of the Blount County Sheriff’s Office Training Academy, Loudon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) Deputy Christian “Cole” Rogers was named “East Tennessee Deputy of the Year” by the State Highway Safety Office.

Deputy Rogers, who is a 2017 graduate of the Blount County Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy, led LCSO in impaired driving arrests in 2020 and is continually one of LCSO’s top felony arrest performers.

Rogers, who also serves as one of the agencies field training officers, is assigned to LCSO’s Third Squad Patrol Division and was nominated by his direct supervisors for his commitment to traffic safety and finding impaired and intoxicated drivers on Loudon County’s roadways. Once nominated, award winners are chosen by a committee from the Georgia highway Safety Office while Georgia’s award recipients were selected from a panel made up of Tennessee representatives.