2024 Statewide Recognition
Awards Event
The Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Statewide Recognition Awards event highlights individuals and entities that embrace MADD's mission to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking.
MADD is pleased to honor and recognize each of the recipients, and nominees, for their hard work and dedication to keeping our roadways and communities safe.
2024 award recipients
Below are this year’s award and pin recipients accompanied by their nomination narrative.
OUTSTANDING SERVICE – Peace officers nominated for this award made a difference by going above and beyond in DWI enforcement.
Sergeant Trevor Bergerson – Bowman Police Department: Sgt. Trevor Bergerson has shown and demonstrated a high excellence in the performance of his profession of a Law Enforcement Officer with the Bowman Police Department when it comes to getting impaired drivers off the roads of North Dakota. For the last three full Calander years, Sgt. Bergerson has accounted for 17 of the departments 38 DUI arrest in those years, a percentage of 44% for the departments staff of sworn 4 officers. In 2021 Sgt Bergerson had volunteered to become a DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) one of a select few in our state, which adds to finding those persons operating a vehicle while under the influence of substances other than alcohol. Sgt. Bergerson has made himself available to officers on the department for his skill set as a DRE to include other agencies in our SW region of the state when called upon, even when he is not on duty. Also, as the Department’s training officer and Field Training Officer, Sgt. Bergerson has emphasized the importance of officers receiving additional training in DUI detection with the department officers and newly appointed officers. Sgt. Bergerson often mentors his fellow officers in the proper steps and procedures that will result in a conviction of drivers arrested for driving under the influence. Based upon our small community, our office recognizes the importance and the dangers of intoxicated persons on the road and I was pleased to see that based on our population, the Bowman Police Department has a higher than average DUI arrests, statewide, made in our small community for the 2022 UCR and NIBRS report. This is due in part to the efforts and dedication of Sgt. Bergerson in making our community a safer place.
Officer Cullen Hall – Minot Police Department: Officer Cullen Hall, in addition to his daily patrol assignment’s, calls for service, and reduced staffing, still managed to proactively seek out impaired drivers and enforce North Dakota DUI statutes. Due to his experience, Officer Hall became a source of information for other officers regarding DUI enforcement and was sought out for information and advice. Officer Hall exemplifies the ND MADD philosophy of ending drunk driving in the State of North Dakota, No More Victims, no more broken hearts.
PROSECUTOR OF THE YEAR – Prosecutors nominated for this award will have shown their dedication to working in the areas of DWI, education, prevention, or innovation to reduce drunk and impaired driving.
Julie Mees & Stephanie Pretzer – City of Bismarck Attorney Office: Julie and Stephanie have been strong supporters of working a DUI case all the way through Jury Trials in Bismarck, ND. They have not backed down from a challenge, even when the odds have been stacked against them. Both Julie and Stephanie are known by defense attorney’s as being very hard to get DUI cases an easy plea deal since they know the consequences of drinking and driving. I am happy to say Julie and Stephanie do not take the easy road and are ready for a fight in these cases! If we win or lose at trial, both Julie and Stephanie are there to figure out how we can bring an even stronger case the next time, or how we can change our process during the DUI investigation to eliminate a claim by the defense. At the end of the day, Julie and Stephanie are supporters of DUI laws and are advocates for DUI enforcement.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE SAFETY AWARD – This award recognizes a law enforcement, or community, agency, group or individual. The nominee(s) made a significant contribution in 2023 to reduce recreational vehicle alcohol and/or drug impaired operation.
Kristin Byram – Strategic Communications Chief: North Dakota Parks and Recreation
Tony Hillig – Recreation Chief: North Dakota Parks and Recreation
Chief Byram and Chief Hillig were crucial in the efforts to raise awareness surrounding MADD’s newest campaign focusing on Recreational Vehicle Safety. This campaign aims to educate communities on the dangers of operating boats, watercraft, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and snowmobiles, while impaired by alcohol or other drugs. Their partnership has helped the MADD Upper Midwest region, and the Recreational Vehicle Safety Campaign, take hold in North Dakota, providing education, awareness, and support for those impacted by substance impaired recreational vehicle crashes.
TOM KEATING YOUTH PREVENTION AWARD – Named after Tom Keating, a lifelong educator, mentor, and coach, this award focuses on individuals or agencies who worked in 2023 to implement youth prevention strategies.
CPL Brian Samson – Grand Forks Police Department: The weight of CPL Samson’s contributions towards the City of Grand Forks, and Grand Forks Public Health-Mental Health Matters, vision of being an emotionally healthy place to live where people receive the support they need to thrive and succeed is deeply appreciated. His efforts in reducing and discouraging underage drinking and impaired driving in the Grand Forks community are beyond measure in encouraging healthy decision making and reducing risky behavior and may even deter substance use disorder. CPL Samson has worked with four establishments to detect, and confiscate, over 500 “fake ID’s” over the past 10 months. These efforts were so successful that two additional ID scanners are in the process of being acquired and utilized within Grand Forks in a communal effort to reduce underage consumption of alcohol, and subsequently reducing potentially impaired drivers. CPL Samson has also spearheaded efforts to conduct alcohol compliance checks of local establishments to ensure compliance with state and local laws regarding underage drinking. CPL Samson also acted in a temporary capacity of a School Resource Officer (SRO) for six months. His relationship with the students was one that inspired trust, and his counsel was sought on numerous occasions as he inspired students as a role model. His influence contributed to the healthy decision making of those middle school students. Relationships amongst youth and trusted adults are a fundamental foundation for holistic health and the basis for Grand Forks Public Schools mental health programming, Sources of Strength. CPL Samson’s dedication to his community wellness through his exemplary efforts to reduce underage drinking and impaired driving reflect great credit upon himself, the Grand Forks community at large, and the Grand Forks Police Department.
MADD GUARDIAN AWARDS – In loving memory of these amazing Guardian Heroes
Deputy Sheriff Paul Martin – Mercer County Sheriff’s Office
Officer Jake Wallin – Fargo Police Department
TOP DUI ENFORCER PIN WINNERS
SILVER PIN (50-99 DUI Arrests)
Officer Cullen Hall (95) – Minot Police Department
Officer Joseph Petersen (60) – Bismarck Police Department
BRONZE PIN (24-49 DUI Arrests)
Officer Tanner Benske (25) – Bismarck Police Department