[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 10, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S71]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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   RECOGNIZING THE 2023 ARKANSAS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OF THE YEAR

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Arkansas State Police troopers Special Agent Matt Foster and Senior 
Corporal David Smothers, the 2023 State Law Enforcement Officers of the 
Year.
  The Arkansas Officer of the Year Award honors members of law 
enforcement who exemplify bravery, service, and commitment. The 
recognition is bestowed upon officers who go above and beyond the call 
of duty. Special Agent Foster and Senior Corporal Smothers earned this 
distinction by saving a victim of human trafficking and apprehending 
the trafficker. Smothers was conducting a traffic stop on I-40 when, 
after recognizing the smell of marijuana, he initiated a search of the 
vehicle and found illegal drugs and weapons. Additional items 
discovered during the search led him to believe a woman in the car was 
the victim of human trafficking.
  He contacted Special Agent Matt Foster, who is trained in recognizing 
and identifying victims of human trafficking. In an interview with the 
passenger, she confirmed to him how she had been trafficked for several 
months. Thankfully, Foster facilitated her rescue from this dangerous 
situation and helped place her in a recovery program specializing in 
assisting victims of human trafficking and drug use.
  On behalf of all Arkansans, I thank Senior Corporal David Smothers 
and Special Agent Matt Foster for making sacrifices to keep us safe, 
saving the life of an innocent victim, and bringing offenders to 
justice. I applaud their courageous actions, compassion, and the use of 
their skills to enforce the law and protect the vulnerable.

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