Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

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ASU Police Sergeant Mash Named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
Last Thursday, in honor of Respect for Law Week, the Boone Optimist Club named ASU Police Sergeant Scott Mash the Watauga County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Since the early 1960s, the Boone Optimist Club has nominated three local law enforcement officers for the award on an annual basis. This year, Mash won the honors, beating out the other nominees, Boone Police Investigator Carson Puckett and Watauga County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jason Zaragoza. Nominated for the award by ASU Police Chief Gunther Doerr, Mash was initially hired by ASU in 2000 as a security guard. Soon after, though, Doerr recognized Mash’s work ethic and sent him to a Basic Law Enforcement course at Caldwell Community College. Mash was sworn in as an ASU Police officer in 2001 and was promoted to sergeant last year. ASU Police recently recognized Mash for his response to a request for assistance from the Boone Police Department in regards to locating a suspect vehicle involved in an armed robbery in Boone. Mash is credited with using his observational skills to complete a felony vehicle stop that led to the arrest of one of the suspects. Photo courtesy of Bill Fisher