BOONE—Eric Miller, an officer with University Police at Appalachian State University, has received the Western NC Police DWI Hero Award from MADD NC (Mothers Against Drunk Driving).

The award was presented during the MADD Law Enforcement Awards Banquet held Jan. 22 in Raleigh.

Miller joined University Police in 2004. He is a graduate of Northwest Ashe High School and served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years. He is a graduate of Wilkes Community College’s Basic Law Enforcement Training Course.

“During the past two years, Officer Miller has single-handedly been responsible for removing 29 drunk drivers from the streets of Appalachian State University,” write University Police Chief Gunther Doerr, who nominated Miller for the award. “In addition, he has been very active in enforcing underage alcohol violations on campus.”

Miller’s dedication to stopping drunk drivers goes beyond his patrol duties on campus. He is involved with the local MADD organization and PARC, Preventing Alcohol Related Crashes.   He also has helped coordinate MADD volunteers to support county-wide DWI checkpoints.

As a result of his involvement with county-wide DWI check-points, Miller initiated an on-campus DWI/vehicle check-point program. In 2008, there were 33 DWI arrests on campus and 42 DWI arrests through the end of November 2009.

Following the success of University Police’s DWI/vehicle check-point program, the department was awarded a $15,200 grant from the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program to purchase its own vehicle check-point equipment.

Miller also coordinates and supports on-campus programs designed to educate students and the greater campus community on alcohol related topics such as underage drinking and driving while impaired.

“Officer Miller is dedicated and involved with his community in creative and innovative ways to stop drunk driving. He believes in MADD’s mission and is dedicated to the ideals of law enforcement,” Doerr wrote.

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