LONDON – Monticello Police Chief Ralph W. Miniard 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.
Miniard served his country as a U.S. Marine during the Vietnam War. After being wounded in action, he returned to Wayne County and has served the citizens of Monticello for more than 33 years as a police officer – 29 of those years as the city’s Chief of Police.
Information from Chief Miniard and his officers led to the discovery of 34 methamphetamine labs in 2010 alone, and he has assisted UNITE detectives on a daily basis to apprehend drug traffickers in the county, said Dan Smoot, law enforcement director for UNITE. “Chief Miniard’s leadership skills are a prime example of what can be accomplished when agencies collaborate on investigations.”