June 20, 2022 4:00 a.m.

Roseburg Police Department Motor Officer and Homeless Liaison Josh Chavez was recently named the 2021 Roseburg Optimist Club Officer of the Year for his commitment, professionalism and outstanding service.

The award was given during a special lunch event at RPD on May 27th. At the same time, Police Chief Gary Klopfenstein recognized Chavez with the department’s Officer of the Quarter award for the first quarter of 2022.

Klopfenstein said every year, there are many officers who stand out for outstanding performance – making it very difficult to select a single officer for recognition. Klopfenstein said “With that said, one really stood out this year among our outstanding police officers and employees in the Roseburg Police Department”.

Klopfenstein and Optimist Club President Peter Sudduth and other members of the club presented Chavez with the award.

A release said Chavez has served with RPD since June of 2013 and has worked as a patrol officer, training officer, motor officer and currently, as a homeless liaison officer. As a motor officer, Chavez rides a motorcycle and provides traffic patrol and accident response.

Klopfenstein said, “Josh is extremely deserving of this award. He shows up to work with a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude and is always the first to offer assistance when you need it. He is calm under pressure and demonstrates the utmost professionalism to the public we serve”. Klopfenstein said he is proud to work with the officer and that Chavez’s positive attitude infects those around him.