Officers of Year honored by Noon Exchange Club

BY DUANE SHERRILL

McMinnville Police firearms expert Stuart Whitman demonstrates the proper way to clear the chamber during a gun safety presentation Tuesday at McMinnville’s Noon Exchange Club meeting.

Citing their above-and-beyond service to the community, McMinnville’s Noon Exchange Club honored two local lawmen Tuesday with Officer of the Year awards.

Receiving Police Officer of the Year was police investigator Stuart Whitman, while taking Deputy of the Year was deputy Steven Carpenter. The 15th annual presentation by Noon Exchange honors officers for their outstanding achievements in the areas of law enforcement and community service.

Whitman has been with McMinnville Police Department since 1998, serving as a patrol officer for most of his career before becoming a detective. In addition to his law enforcement duties, Whitman is also active in police training, as he serves as a field training officer. He also serves as the police shooting range master and armorer. His credentials include being a FBI-certified police firearm instructor, as well as being a certified armorer by both the Glock and Remington companies. Whitman lives locally with his wife and three children.

Carpenter is newer to the profession, serving with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department for the past two years. He is a 2001 graduate of Warren County High School and a 2006 graduate of Walter State Community College. He is the son of Allen and Beverly Carpenter and resides locally with his wife.

While receiving his award, Whitman used his knowledge of firearms to provide education in gun safety for those in attendance.

Demonstrating the proper technique to clear a rifle chamber, Whitman said there are three fundamental rules for gun safety in the home.

‘Always assume a firearm is loaded and treat it as such,’ Whitman said. ‘And, always makes sure the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction at all times. And last, never point a weapon unless you’ve made a conscious decision to fire it at the target.’

Whitman said the best place to store firearms is a gun safe. In the absence of a gun safe, guns and ammo should be stored in separate areas, but areas which can be accessed quickly in an emergency. Whitman also said it is of prime importance for parents to talk to their children about firearms.

‘The two most dangerous people around firearms are children and untrained adults,’ Whitman said, noting gun owners should accept the responsibility of familiarizing themselves with firearms if they are going to own firearms. ‘Our children know not to bother the guns because we have discussed it with them. It’s important parents take the time to talk to their children about firearms if there is a gun in the house.’