Local law enforcement officers to be recognized with DUI Top Gun Awards

A pair of local law enforcement officers are set to be honored for their stellar commitment to DUI enforcement.

Walnutport police Sgt. Jason Nothstein, along with Lehighton patrolman Bruce Broyles, will both receive 2019 DUI Top Gun Awards at the Pennsylvania DUI Association’s 40th annual meeting at the Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh.

Nothstein, who has been with the Walnutport Police Department for 20 years, was promoted to sergeant in September 2013.

He said this will be the fifth time that he’s been awarded the Top Gun Award by the PA DUI Association, adding that he’s received the Top Gun Award by the Lehigh Valley DUI/Highway Safety Task Force.

Nothstein, who has also been a drug recognition expert since 2011, is also a DRE instructor and standardized field sobriety test practitioner instructor.

“Being able to remove an impaired driver off the road and potentially saving at least one life is what’s important to me, and that’s what I take gratification in,” Nothstein said. “But I am very humble and appreciative to be recognized.”

Efforts to reach Broyles in time for today’s publication were unsuccessful.

The two will be among 23 municipal law enforcement officers, three municipal drug recognition experts; 40 Pennsylvania State Police troopers; and three Pennsylvania State Police drug recognition experts to receive awards.

The Pennsylvania Driving Under the Influence Association celebrated the 22nd Anniversary of the DUI Top Gun Awards, as this year marks the 1,000 Top Gun Award recipient.

Collectively over 22 years, these 1,000 law enforcement officers have been recognized for removing 48,034 impaired drivers from Pennsylvania roadways.

“Impaired driving is a serious crime that puts people at risk every day,” said Col. Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. “Congratulations to all of the law enforcement officers recognized by the Pennsylvania DUI Association with a DUI Top Gun Award. The dedicated enforcement efforts of these men and women help keep our roads safe and sends the message that impaired driving is not tolerated in the commonwealth.”

“We expect a great deal from our law enforcement officers. We ask them to be a counselor, teacher, medical technician, social worker, psychologist, mentor and negotiator, and then we expect them to enforce the laws. Law enforcement officers in Pennsylvania deserve a thank you for the work in reducing the threat of impaired drivers on our roadways. It is with this intent that the PA DUI Association has developed and offers this award to law enforcement that have a demonstrated commitment to DUI enforcement,” said C. Stephen Erni, executive director.

The DUI Top Gun Award recipients will also receive their own portable breath test equipment sponsored by Drager to further aid them in future DUI apprehensions.