David Berman/Journal Scene

Summerville Police Pfc. Shari Driggers, who notched 62 drunk driving arrests in 2008, has been named DUI Officer of the Year by the S.C. Department of Public Safety.

At a March 19 ceremony in Columbia, the S.C. Department of Public Safety recognized law enforcement agencies and individual officers for their 2008 efforts in driving under the influence enforcement. Driggers was named Officer of the Year for departments numbering 51 to 100 officers.

The award takes into account total DUI arrests, victim services, efforts to curb underage drinking and overall work ethic.

“I work nights, a lot of the time by myself…I have complete and total job satisfaction, but at 3 a.m., when I’m arresting someone who is less than pleasant, it’s nice to know someone recognizes that,” Driggers said.

As for the 62 arrests, the tally surprised Driggers, she said, because she didn’t keep a running count.

Driggers’ supervisor, Lt. Bob Burris, put her up for the award. In his Jan. 9 nomination letter he wrote, “Shari’s report writing skills are impeccable, leaving defense attorneys with little to no room for argument in court.”

In 2008, 30 of Driggers’ DUI cases were disposed. Of those cases, 29 ended with a guilty defendant — three by verdict and 26 by plea. The other case was reduced to a lower charge.

Driggers has extensive training in field sobriety tests, but she has also learned through experience how to spot the subtle signs of intoxication. Making a DUI arrest is “very scientific, because it has to be; but the basics of impairment are (right) there,” she said.

Driggers has other roles beyond DUI enforcer. She’s certified to teach standardized field sobriety tests to other officers and does so twice a year. She’s also a wife — “I have the best husband,” she said — and a law school student.

Driggers grew up in Columbia and began her law enforcement career with the Irmo Police Department. She came to Summerville five years ago as a patrol officer. For the past two and a half years, she has worked DUI enforcement in a grant-funded position.

Burris said he has re-applied for the grant to keep Driggers doing what she does best. He’s hoping the grant will also fund two other DUI officers, who Driggers would train.

Contact David Berman at 873-9424 ext. 214 or dberman@journalscene.com

Ourgazette.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Ourgazette.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not Ourgazette.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.

Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by reading our terms and conditions, and then signing up below!

• Santee Cooper announces 2012 refunding bond sale
• Santee Cooper announces organizational changes in operation and finance departments
• Santee Cooper employees pitch in on Day of Caring
• Aerial herbicide treatment on lakes under way
• Santee Cooper Board Authorizes Rate Study
• Santee Cooper announces refunding bond sale
• Santee Cooper, Florida Municipal Power Agency enter into letter of intent for share of planned V.C. Summer Station units
• Santee Cooper, Duke Energy Carolinas enter into letter of intent for share of planned V.C. Summer Station units 2 and 3