Faulk awarded Officer of the Year

May 18, 2023

Comanche Police Chief Cory Faulk was among three law enforcement officers recognized with awards sponsored by the Wichita Mountains Prevention Network.

The fourth annual Pathways Awards Ceremony took place last Friday at Red River Technology Center in Duncan.

Faulk was named Officer of the Year for Stephens and Jefferson counties. He was joined by CARE Award winner Matt Purnell, Stephens County deputy and school resource officer at Velma-Alma. Also honored was K-9 of the Year Ringo and his handler, Duncan master officer Nathan Hicks.

The Officer of the Year Award goes to a law enforcement officer in good standing with their agency that has excelled in many areas, which might include but are not limited to: DUI/DUI-D arrests, traffic safety and other drug prevention programs, attended trainings, work ethic and other areas.

Faulk joined the police department in 2016. During his time at Comanche he has made many significant contributions and rose through the ranks becoming interim chief in December 2022 and was officially sworn in as chief in March 2023.

Over the past year, Faulk updated all policies and procedures for the department to align with state and federal regulations. He also secured a grant that provided bullet proof vests for all full time and reserve officers.

His greatest accomplishment over the past year was cheating death. In December 2022 during a routine traffic stop, Faulk was exposed to Fentanyl and immediately overdosed. Emergency responders and Duncan Regional Hospital were able to administer several doses of Narcan and save his life.

Two days after leaving the hospital he was faced with two options, resign his commission and pursue a safer career or stay and fight the growing Fentanyl problem.

Not only did he stay but he also stepped up to serve as interim police chief his first day back on the job.

Since the incident, Faulk has been an advocate for education and preventative resources. His story has been shared across the state both as an encouragement but also an opportunity for training.

In his first year as school resource officer at Velma-Alma, Purnell has become highly respected not only in the school system, but in the entire community. He has written safety protocols and is always planning new ways to make the school as safe as possible.

K-9 Ringo is a 5-year-old dual purpose Dutch Shepherd. He conducted his first track and arrest in September 2020. In 2022, Ringo assisted the District 6 Narcotic and Violent Crime Task Force and seized 1 pound and 14 ounces of methamphetamine in two traffic stops. He has also made other arrests, including a recent seizure of 33 grams of illegal drugs. Ringo and Hicks have traveled around to several elementary schools in the community along with visiting Boy and Girl Scout groups.