LONDON – Kentucky State Police Detective Chris Fugate has been named a recipient of Operation UNITE’s “Rising Above” Award for inspiring leadership in the field of law enforcement.

The award was presented by Gil Kerlikowske, White House Director for Drug Policy, and Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers during a celebration dinner at the London Community Center Wednesday, February 23.

Fugate, a 19-year veteran with the Kentucky State Police, is presently assigned to the Appalachia HIDTA Task Force in Hazard.

“Det. Fugate and his team have been highly successful in locating and dismantling several out-of-state pill pipeline trafficking organizations that were responsible for distributing hundreds of thousands of pain pills within Eastern Kentucky,” said Dan Smoot, law enforcement director for UNITE. “He goes above and beyond on a daily basis to effect community change in neighborhoods ravaged by the drug epidemic.”

In addition, Det. Fugate plays a major role in Perry County’s Camp Promise where he serves as a mentor to at-risk youth and is constantly using his youth ministry skills for drug prevention.

“Det. Fugate is not only a role model for at-risk youth, he should be considered a role model for all the police officers who bravely protect the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” Smoot said.