BENTON, Ark. — Arkansas State Police Trooper Hunter Grubbs was named the 2025 Statewide Officer of the Year today at the 2025 Officer of the Year Awards. Trooper Grubbs, who also received recognition as the Southwest Regional winner, was recognized at Attorney General Tim Griffin’s annual event at the Benton Events Center.
The event, now in its 23rd year, celebrates outstanding law enforcement professionals from across Arkansas for their exemplary service and dedication to public safety.
ASP Troopers Corporal Marcus Simpson, Corporal Chris Barnett, and Corporal Dustin Carpenter were named jointly as Northeast Regional winners; and Special Agent Dustin Thompson was recognized as the Central Regional winner.
In total, 35 ASP Troopers received county-level awards for their work during the past year.
“Our Troopers continue to set the standard for integrity, bravery, and service,” said Colonel Mike Hagar, Director of the Arkansas State Police. “These honorees represent the very best of our agency and the law enforcement profession, and we are proud of their dedication to protecting the people of Arkansas. I sincerely appreciate General Griffin’s commitment to honoring outstanding officers and thanking their families for their service to our state.”
The Officer of the Year program recognizes officers who have demonstrated exceptional performance in areas such as criminal investigations, traffic safety, community engagement, and critical incident response. Nominees are submitted by agencies across the state and reviewed based on their actions, leadership, and impact on the communities they serve.
Troopers who received County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year:
Baxter County
Special Agent Aaron Middleton
Chicot County
Trooper David Menotti
Clark County
Trooper Sean Weston
Clay County
Trooper Christian Underwood
Columbia County
Trooper First Class Brian Palmer
Conway County
Special Agent Kristen Dumont
Crittenden County
Senior Special Agent Aundrae Mack
Cross County
Trooper First Class Blake Irvin
Dallas County
Trooper James Reed
Drew County
Trooper Alan Butler
Franklin County
Special Agent Thurman Lunsford
Garland County
Trooper Hunter Grubbs
Grant County
Corporal Harlee Robinson
Greene County
Trooper Richard Drum
Hot Spring County
Trooper John Crow
Howard County
Trooper Micah Brown
Izard County
Special Agent Drew Widner
Jackson County
Corporal Marcus Simpson, Corporal Chris Barnett, and Corporal Dustin Carpenter
Jefferson County
Special Agent Dustin Thompson
Lawrence County
Trooper First Class Isaac Lawson
Lee County
Trooper Dillon Pigue’
Mississippi County
Trooper First Class Blaine Middlecoff
Nevada County
Corporal Christina Bussey
Newton County
Senior Special Agent Becky Vacco
Perry County
Corporal Seth Race
Pike County
Special Agent Christopher Harper
Poinsett County
Trooper Nash Thomas
Polk County
Corporal Bo Hayes
Pulaski County
Corporal David Harrell
Randolph County
Corporal Zachary Paschal
Scott County
Corporal Billy Turnipseed
Searcy County
Special Agent Paul Robson
Sharp County
Trooper First Class Quinton Maag
White County
Special Agent Jeremy Hughes
