Oklahoma State Troopers Association Names Senator Ballenger Legislator Of The Year

State Senator Roger Ballenger, D-Okmulgee, was recently named the 2008 Legislator of the Year by the Oklahoma State Troopers Association for his support and dedication to Oklahoma law enforcement.

Roy Rogers, president of the Oklahoma State Troopers Association and Captain Rusty Rhoades, legislative liaison with the Department of Public Safety presented the award to Ballenger at the State Capitol.

“The Oklahoma State Troopers Association is proud to award Sen. Roger Ballenger the Legislator of the Year Award,” Rogers said. “The Oklahoma Troopers Association selects legislators from the Oklahoma State Senate and the House of Representatives that work to improve the safety of the citizens of the great state of Oklahoma and to improve the quality of equipment and safety of law enforcement across our state. This is the Oklahoma State Troopers Association’s way of saying “thank you” for all you do.”

Captain Rusty Rhoades praised Ballenger for his commitment to help Oklahoma law enforcement.

“Senator Ballenger has always closely worked with the Department of Public Safety to ensure the agency’s needs were met so that we could provide the best public service to the people of this state,” Rhoades said. “We appreciate his interest in public safety as a whole.”

Ballenger, co- chair of the Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, said he was honored to receive the award.

“I feel honored and privileged to be selected by the Oklahoma State Troopers Association as their Legislator of the Year,” Ballenger said. “Oklahoma’s state troopers risk their lives each day to help protect the citizens of this state. The safety of these law enforcement officers is very important to me. As co-chair of the Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, I am committed to helping ensure that law enforcement officials have all the tools necessary to do their jobs safely and effectively. I look forward to working with the Oklahoma State Troopers Association in the future helping to make a safer Oklahoma for everyone.”