Spearfish Police Officer Recognized with Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing

SIOUX FALLS — Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the Seventh Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing. Among the 13 nationwide recipients was Officer Reece Walno of the Spearfish Police Department in Spearfish, South Dakota.

This prestigious award recognizes law enforcement officers who demonstrate exceptional dedication to strengthening trust, promoting community engagement, and enhancing public safety.

“Community policing is essential to building trust and ensuring public safety,” said Attorney General Garland. “These officers have gone above and beyond their duty to foster partnerships with the communities they serve. Their work is an inspiration to us all and a reminder of the profound impact law enforcement can have on individuals, neighborhoods, and society.”

During the course of 2023, Officer Reece Walno showed his commitment to his department and his community by establishing a strong and diligent work ethic and personally fielding more than 1,200 calls for service. One traffic stop stood out from the rest: On August 8, Officer Walno stopped a vehicle for speeding and equipment violations. During the traffic stop, Officer Walno observed multiple indicators of criminal activity. Officer Walno was able to obtain consent for a K9 free-air sniff which provided additional narcotic detection resources. During the vehicle search, suspected methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia were located and seized. Officer Walno’s training and experience led him to determine the evidence located was involved in the distribution of illegal controlled substances. The driver was later taken into custody for active arrest warrants and other felony and misdemeanor charges.

Despite call volume and shift shortages, Officer Walno continued his proactive investigation and seized the suspect’s cellphone. Officer Walno began the search of the cellphone data and discovered information suggesting further narcotic activity occurring through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Officer Walno contacted the USPS Postal Inspector and provided actionable intelligence which led to an initial seizure of a dark web marijuana parcel from Wyoming. Officer Walno contacted drug agents with the UNET-N [Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team – North)] Drug Task Force and provided further intelligence.

Officer Walno’s investigative tenacity and attention to detail produced significant, well-documented intelligence which allowed law enforcement to stop more than a pound of controlled substances in addition to dark web marijuana from being distributed to Spearfish and other surrounding communities. Officer Walno completed a high-level narcotics investigation while also meeting the high-volume demand for calls for service and continuing other proactive police activities.

U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota Alison J. Ramsdell offered these comments, “I commend Officer Reece Walno on his selection for the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing. In the District of South Dakota, we rely heavily on the work of local law enforcement officers like Officer Walno to build impactful federal drug prosecutions. Officer Walno’s detailed and thorough investigations have been crucial in helping to piece together drug rings and bring drug traffickers to justice. Through the dedicated efforts of Officer Walno and others throughout the law enforcement community in South Dakota, we will continue to dismantle the drug trafficking organizations that are peddling poison in our communities.”

The Attorney General’s Award recognizes individual state, local, and Tribal sworn officers, deputies, and troopers for exceptional efforts in community policing. The awarded individuals have demonstrated active engagement with the community in one of three areas: criminal investigations, field operations, or innovations in community policing.

The awardees were selected from a nationwide pool of nominees for their outstanding achievements in fostering safer, more inclusive communities.

The Department of Justice commends these officers for their service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to their communities. For more information about the awards, visit www.justice.gov.