The Nebraska Chapter of Mother’s Against Drunk Driving, also known as MADD, 28th annual “MADD Hero Awards” was held on Tuesday in Lincoln’s Wilderness Ridge.
Awards host Brandon Benitz noted the occasion for “recognizing the importance of stopping impaired driving and underage substance abuse.”
Among the speakers were Tammy Wheeler, an active volunteer with MADD Nebraska and supporter of the MADD Victim Impact Panel Program along with Becky Canaday.
There were many Central Nebraska law enforcement officers recognized.
Among them, in the category of Adult DUI/DWI Individual…recipients include: Sgt. Derrick Hosick of the Kearney Police Department. From the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office were Deputies Cameron Leher and Joshua Trumble, along with Christine Reisen, Toxicologist with the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab.
Also from Grand Island Police Department: Officers Riley Lampman, Patrick Quintana, Brandon Stogsdill and Hall County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Hailey Plautz
Grand Island Police Department Victim Advocate Colleen Duering(DURING) was honored for exceptional dedication as a MADD Nebraska volunteer with the Victim Impact Panel.
In the category of Adult-DUI/DWI Team…Sgt. Taylor Samek and Deputies Brandon Huebner(HEEB-NER) and Deion Hulse from the York County Sheriff’s Office.
In the category of Traffic Enforcement Mobilization, Officers Braylen Luke, Lane Cacek, Atalia Najera and Joshua Stokey from Kearney Police Department were honored for having recorded 68 DUI arrests in 2025.
