In a ceremony held at the Crossville Police Department, Lieutenant Dustin Lester was honored with the Officer of the Month by Chief Jessie Brooks.

Lieutenant Lester received the recognition for his efforts back in January of this year when he stopped a vehicle for traffic violations on Dunbar Lane. Lieutenant Lester observed what he recognized as a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Lieutenant Lester conducted a search of the vehicle and seized over one pound of marijuana, which appeared to be packaged for resale and $1,218 in cash. The suspect was arrested and booked into the Cumberland County Justice Center.

Police Chief Jessie Brooks says because of Lieutenant Lester’s proactive policing efforts, the sale of these narcotics within the community was stopped and a suspected drug dealer will now face criminal charges.