The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has honored State Sen. Roger Thompson for his efforts in the Legislature to support the crime investigation agency. OSBI Director Stan Florence presented Thompson with the 2016 OSBI Director’s Award during a ceremony held in Norman on December 13.
Thompson said he was humbled that his efforts were honored by the agency. “I believe we must do everything we can to support the mission of the OSBI. Their work is critical to public safety throughout Oklahoma, and helps ensure local law enforcement agencies have access to criminal investigation technology that can identify and convict those responsible for some of the most heinous crimes committed in our state,” said Thompson, R-Okemah.
A newspaper publisher, Thompson was praised by Florence during the ceremony. The award states “your background in the media has made you keenly aware of the challenges law enforcement face every day. Because of this, you are more sensitive to the needs of quality criminal investigations. When elected to the Oklahoma Senate in 2014, you made OSBI’s needs a priority and have helped the Bureau work through lean times. Your continued efforts to keep OSBI a leader in law enforcement are greatly appreciated.”
This actually marks Thompson’s second award honoring his dedication to public safety. Earlier this year, he received the Liberty Bell award from the Oklahoma District Attorneys Association for his support of a number of crime-fighting initiatives, including legislation strengthening laws on sexual assault, uninsured motorists, and expanding the use of DNA samples to solve additional cold cases.