May 15, 2012. Eric Miller, a senior officer with University Police at Appalachian State University, has received the Watauga County Police Officer of the Year Award from the Boone Optimist Club.
The award was presented during the club’s annual Respect for Law Week appreciation breakfast.
Miller served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps attaining the rank of corporal. He joined University Police in 2004 after graduating from Wilkes Community College’s N.C. Basic Law Enforcement Training Course.
Miller advanced to the rank of senior police officer in 2007 after completing more than 400 hours of law enforcement training. He is certified as a general instructor, radar and Intoxilyzer operator and has completed several other courses involving DWI operations including the standard field sobriety course. He recently received his Criminal Justice Intermediate Law Enforcement Certificate and is working on becoming a specialized radar and standardized field sobriety instructor.
“Officer Miller is a valuable asset to his squad and our department,” said Gunther Doerr, director of public safety and risk management at Appalachian. “He was instrumental in obtaining a $15,000 grant from the Governors Highway and Safety program that allowed our agency to receive several new items of equipment for DWI check points. He has also assisted the department in writing new policies and developing lesson plans to teach students for programs requested by residence halls.”
Miller is a community policing liaison officer and works with students and University Housing staff. He also has worked with several community groups to reduce underage alcohol abuse and drunk driving.
An Ashe County resident, Miler is a volunteer firefighter for the Creston Fire Department and is currently enrolled at Appalachian majoring in criminal justice.
“Officer Miller has shown that he puts his work in public safety second only to his family and helps out with anything he can,” Doerr said. “He comes to work with a positive attitude and is constantly looking for ways to help out our agency and the community.”
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