Trooper Marc Griggs was presented with the 2019-2020 Iowa Elks Association Enrique S. Camarena Award at the October 12^th regular lodge meeting of the West Des Moines Elks Lodge #2752.  He was nominated by Dwight Taylor, a member of the West Des Moines Lodge who is a retired Urbandale Police Officer and owner of the DART Group, a consulting firm for police departments.  The award was presented by Bob Iske, visiting SW District Deputy, Shenandoah Elks Lodge #1122 and Anna Marie Nielsen, Exalted Ruler, West Des Moines Lodge #2752.

Enrique Camarena was an eleven year veteran of the DEA, who was kidnapped, tortured and then murdered in Mexico in 1985 by members of the Gallardo Drug Cartel.  He was a loving husband and a father of three children.  His death has inspired millions of Americans to lead a drug free life and the Elks celebrate his commitment to this effort with an annual award. 

The Enrique S. Camarena Award was established by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks to recognize and honor law enforcement officers who have made a significant contribution in the field of drug prevention and who personify Agent Camarena’s belief that one person can make a difference.  The Iowa Elks Association presents the Enrique S. Camarena Award to a member of law enforcement who best exemplifies the qualities and principles for which Agent Camarena gave his life.

Trooper Grigg’s career is indicative of the principles of the Camarena Award.  He began his career as an Iowa State Trooper in February of 1993. After graduating from the Law Enforcement Academy at Camp Dodge, he was assigned to the Capitol Police Division until transferring to the Iowa State Patrol in September of 1994.  In 2000, he attended the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) School and became certified as a Drug Recognition Expert.  In 2005, he attended the DRE Instructor School at the California Highway Patrol.  Since then, he was taught many other police officers to become DREs.  In his career, Trooper Griggs has completed over 630 drug evaluations and has arrested thousands of drunk drivers.  In 2012, Trooper Griggs was presented with the Kip Hayward Award for removing impaired drivers from Iowa highways.  This award is in remembrance of Deputy Hayward of the Polk County Sheriff’s office who has hit and killed by a drunk driver.  In 2015, Trooper Griggs was given the Distinguished Service Award for removing 500 drug impaired drivers from Iowa Highways.  Trooper Griggs is in his 27^th year as an Iowa State Trooper and in 2017, he also became an instructor with the DART Group, a company dedicated to workplace safety and drug prevention.  In that compacity, he trains companies to recognize the signs and symptoms of drug abuse, which the goal of identifying potential safety hazards of people under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

We salute Trooper Griggs for his service and dedication to duty and congratulate him on being the recipient of this year’s Iowa Elks Association Enrique S. Camarena Award.