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Cotton County Sheriff Awards

Congratulations to our own Captain John Coffell, who was awarded Deputy of the Year 2024 by the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association! John and his family were raised in Cotton County, and in 2019, John was hired as a jailer and quickly promoted to Jail Administrator. In 2021, John was hired as a Deputy and promoted to Captain in 2023.

John has continued to further his education in law enforcement, completing approximately 215 hours of continuing education since February 2022. John seeks out classes that benefit both himself and the Sheriff’s Office in furthering their commitment to the community. He also spends time researching State Statutes to deepen his understanding of Oklahoma laws and teaching what he has learned to his fellow deputies.

John volunteers to assist Cotton County Emergency Management in their drone program, taking classes to obtain his drone certification. John has also responded to large fires or other weather-related incidents in Cotton County, assisting in evacuations, search and rescue operations, and mapping. He also assists Emergency Management in organizing their yearly search and rescue training.

Each year, the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association accepts nominations from Sheriffs in each of Oklahoma’s 77 counties. Once received, the Association reviews each nomination and selects the award winner. This award is presented to an Undersheriff or Deputy Sheriff for personal and professional conduct that reflects the highest standard of the Office of Sheriff. These standards include moral character, integrity, and dependability; one or more outstanding acts involving any of the functions of the Office of Sheriff; high personal standards and service above and beyond the call of duty; technical excellence in law enforcement; and innovation/initiative in creating new law enforcement programs.

For the last three out of four years, a member of the Cotton County Sheriff’s Office has been selected as Deputy of the Year by the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association. In 2021, Undersheriff Gary Whittington was awarded Deputy of the Year, in 2022, Deputy Lori Hedges was awarded Reserve Deputy of the Year, and now, in 2024, Captain John Coffell was awarded Deputy of the Year.

These awards reflect the outstanding work of our Sheriff’s Department and their dedication and commitment to the Cotton County community. Please join us in congratulating John and showing our appreciation for all our law enforcement officers and all they do for us!



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