One member of the Laurel Police Department has earned the distinction of becoming a member of the 100 Club for 2008.

Capt. Tommy Cox, Laurel Police patrol division commander, said statistics for 2008 show that one police officer earned the distinction of writing more than 100 driving under the influence citations making him eligible for the 100 Club and two received honorable mention.

LPD corporal John E. Stringer issued more than 100 DUI citations for the Laurel Police Department.

LPD corporals David Grasha and Priscilla Sims both issued more than 50 DUI citations for the Laurel Police Department in the last calendar year.

Cox said the police department recommend these officers for recognition by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety for the number of driving under the influence arrests they made last year.

Stringer was initiated into the 100 Club in 2008 for making 117 DUI arrests in the previous year.

Stringer, who has been a police officer for five years, said he likes “helping people.”

“Taking a drunk driver off the street, saves lives,” he said.

Cox said it’s a privilege to have a police officer recognized by the state for this honor.

“For 2006, we had two officers who made more than 100 DUI arrests. Then, for 2007, we had four officers,” Cox explained. “Now in 2008, we had one officer to receive the recognition and two other officers to get honorable mention.”

Cox said attaining the 100 Club recognition is not an easy task.

“It’s a lot of work in handling DUIs. These officers have to work regular patrol and answer calls like any other officer. This is just an additional duty they have to take on,” Cox said. “These officers just volunteered to take on this duty for their shift, which involves a lot of paperwork and court time.”

Cox said “one DUI can tie you up for hours.”

Cox said Stringer was recommended for the state’s 100 Club and attended a program in May sponsored by the Department of Public Safety. During the program, the state’s top DUI law enforcement officers for 2008 were inducted into the club.

The officers represent state, county and city law enforcement agencies from around Mississippi.