Starkville Police Officer Awarded National D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year
In a profession that often goes thankless, a story of recognition emerges from Starkville, Mississippi. The dedicated and compassionate service of Starkville Police Department Corporal Tonya McWhirter has piqued national recognition. McWhirter, who has dedicated over two decades of her life to law enforcement, was recently honored with the National D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year award. This prestigious title was bestowed upon her during the 36th International D.A.R.E. Training Conference in Orlando, Florida on July 29.
Dedication to the D.A.R.E. Program
The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program is a global initiative designed to equip students with the necessary skills to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and other criminal activities. Police officers visit classrooms and deliver engaging informational sessions to students, thereby making a difference in the community at the grassroots level. McWhirter’s involvement in the program extends beyond 20 years, making her a seasoned officer in terms of D.A.R.E. training.
Working Towards a Better Community
McWhirter’s lifelong aim has been to create an environment for students that she herself missed out on when she was younger. “Growing up, there was nobody to make that connection with, and I wanted to be different,” McWhirter said. “I wanted to make that connection. And I wanted those kids to see past the badge and see past the gun. That underneath all of this, there is a heart.”
To realize her goals, McWhirter navigated through various life experiences that led her to a career in law enforcement. Raised in the Starkville area, she moved to Naples, Florida, for a part of her teen years. After returning to Mississippi to attend college, the life of her future husband took her interest in the legal field the law enforcement path. She graduated with a degree in social work with an emphasis on corrections at Mississippi State University and later started her law enforcement career at Mississippi State University Police Department (MSU PD).
An Eye-Opening Experience
McWhirter embarked on her journey as a D.A.R.E. officer at the Louisville Police Department. The impact this program has on the students was made evident to her in one of her earliest classes when an anonymous question from a 10-year-old student about suicide was placed in the D.A.R.E. box. The incident was a turning point for McWhirter, who could relate to the struggling student and further solidified her determination to make a difference.
Expanding the D.A.R.E. Program
In 2021, McWhirter joined the Starkville Police Department with the aim to expand the D.A.R.E. program there. She has already managed to include Pre-K students in the program and hopes to expand it to high schools as well in the future. Through her efforts, she has reached out to about 1,600 students in the past year alone, with plans to include community training in the program.
The Path Forward
Tonya McWhirter’s passion and perseverance led her to receive this prestigious award, but her journey does not stop here. The recognition affirms her years of service, but for her, the greatest reward is the chance to make a difference in the lives of students: “It’s very rewarding to be recognized for such a prestigious award. I never thought I would be, but I never set out to be, if that makes sense. I just did it because I love it. I love it.”
