The Dunlap Police Department has been recognized in a select group of 30 finalists for the 2018 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. Over 2,300 nominations were received from all 50 states, Guam-CMNI, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia.
The Dunlap Police Department was nominated by Officer Robert W. Raber who is a specialist in the 252 Military Police Company, Tennessee Army National Guard. Specialist Raber has served numerous training and active duty deployments including a year in the Middle East and more recently during hurricane relief in the U.S.
Virgin Islands. Specialist Raber recognized his employer for their outstanding support during his earlier deployments but the most recent support was exceptional. While he was in the Virgin Islands his home was destroyed by fire. The Police Department, Chief Clint Huth and others immediately provided assistance for Specialist Raber's wife and children. They assisted in locating new temporary housing and spearheaded fund drives for the family.
The Dunlap Police Department is the only nominee in Tennessee that was selected as a finalist.
Final selection for the Freedom Award will be announced by early June. The nominator and an employer representative will be invited to attend the award ceremony hosted by Secretary of Defense Mattis and held in the Pentagon in August.