A member of the Jefferson City Police Department has been recognized for his service by the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.
U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison announced Friday that Lt. David Williams received the 2019 Enoch B. Morelock Award.
The Enoch B. Morelock Award is an annual recognition of outstanding moral character, service to law enforcement and service to the community. Williams was honored during the 17th annual LECC Training Seminar in Springfield.
The award, presented annually by the U.S. Attorney's Office Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee, is named in honor of Sullivan County Sheriff Enoch B. Morelock, who was the first recorded line of duty death in the Western District of Missouri on Dec. 19, 1847.
In Williams's 24-year career in law enforcement, he has served as an undercover officer, an accident reconstructionist, a motorcycle officer, and has been a member and commander of the department's SWAT team. He has also served as a field training officer, a defensive tactics trainer and coordinated the department's reserve officers. Williams is currently serving as the JCPD training officer, coordinating new hire training as well as continuing education for existing officers.
In a press release, Garrison noted Williams served as the face of JCPD and the city in the aftermath of the EF-3 tornado that hit Jefferson City on May 22 and "received praise from local and national media for his handling of the press events."
Garrison also said Williams was being recognized for his work in the community outside of his work with the police department.
For example, Garrison noted Williams was a past member of the board of directors for the First Financial Credit Union and "was crucial in the merger with River Region Credit Union, where he was able to deal with concerns of members of both entities because of his strong ties to the community." Williams remained on the board of the newly merged River Region Credit Union and currently serves as treasurer of that board. In 2018, he was awarded the National Credit Union Association Volunteer of the Year Award for his work in the community.
Williams is also a member of the board of directors for the local American Red Cross and Special Learning Center, which provides learning opportunities for children with disabilities, as well as a member of the local Elks Lodge. He serves as a guardian for the Central Missouri Honor Flight, where he assists aging veterans from World War II, Korean and Vietnam Wars in their journey to Washington, D.C., to visit the military memorials.
In 2017, Williams received the Juneteenth Jefferson City Emancipation Award from Lincoln University, which is given annually to a person who has shown dedication to the protection of and service to the community.
Williams is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, and was selected to serve a six-month detail as an executive fellow with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Washington, D.C. He is a peer reviewer for the Bureau of Justice Affairs grant process, where he helps evaluate and approve various grants to law enforcement agencies around the country. He is a certified instructor in explosive investigations, Taser, and pursuit driving, among other specialties.