2009 DEA/D.A.R.E. Law Enforcement Executive of the Year

Crime Prevention Magazine
September 2009 - October 2009

(L-R) DARE America President and CEO Charlie Parsons,Sheriff Philip Bueki and DEA Chief Eric Akers

The award, given annually, recognizes the efforts of law enforcement executives and his/her department for their continuing support of the D.A.R.E Program, as well as for working with the community to promote a variety of ongoing drug prevention and education initiatives. Several of his fellow Pennsylvania and New Jersey Police Officers were responsible for his nomination for the award.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sponsors the award with D.A.R.E. to highlight the importance of law enforcement and prevention working together to make our communities safe and drug-free. The award recipient receives $1,000 toward supporting projects of their department's D.A.R.E program.

This year's award was presented to Sheriff Philip Bueki, Jr. from Pike County, Pennsylvania at the D.A.R.E International Training Conference in Orlando, Florida. Sheriff Bueki joins Sheriff Ted G. Kamatchus of Marshal County, Iowa (2008); Sheriff Michael Welch of Caswell County, North Carolina (2007); and Sheriff Paul Lanteigne of Virginia Beach, Virginia (2006) as a winner of this important award.

Sheriff Bueki has worked in the field of narcotics more than 20 years and has developed keen insights into the drug culture and the negative effects of drugs on society. Starting his career in law enforcement as a military policeman for the U.S. Army and completing advanced training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center at Glynco, Georgia through the Drug Enforcement Administration has contributed to his insights.

Before and after becoming a Sheriff, Sheriff Bueki has worked hard as a Mentor/D.A.R.E Instructor and helped to establish a statewide D.A.R.E Officers' Training Academy in the state of Pennsylvania. He was the first D.A.R.E Officer in northeast Pennsylvania and the first to provide drug and alcohol prevention programs to local schools. Over the course of his career, Sheriff Bueki has taught more than 10,000 young people and feels privileged to have done so.

As a result of Pike County's close proximity to New York City, the population has increased dramatically making it one of the fastest growing counties in the state. Unfortunately the increase in crime and gang activity has also entered the Pocono Mountains. Sheriff Bueki has hosted and lectured at several gang awareness forums for law enforcement. He has started educational programs for parents and the community and teaches the gang supplemental lessons in the schools.

The Sheriff's efforts and continued support has not gone unnoticed by many. In fact, several of his fellow Pennsylvania and New Jersey Police Officers were responsible for his nomination for the award.

His "tireless advocacy for the youth of the community... deserves the respect and admiration that this award brings." "The ability to successfully relate to the younger generation on their level about serious issues like drug and alcohol abuse is a rare gift. (Sheriff Bueki has)... touched the hearts and saved lives of countless children through his dedication and commitment to the D.A.R.E program..." said Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett.

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