10/10/2026
🏆💙 A NIGHT OF HONOR, PRIDE, AND HISTORY FOR THE COTTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE! 💙🏆
Five out of six years. A remarkable record of statewide recognition. One small-county Sheriff’s Office making a BIG impact!
On Friday evening, October 9, 2026, members of the Cotton County Sheriff’s Office gathered for the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association’s 35th Anniversary Awards Banquet, where our agency was once again recognized for its dedication, leadership, professionalism, and service to the citizens of Cotton County.
This year was particularly special, with SEVEN members of our Sheriff’s Office receiving statewide recognition across three prestigious award categories!
🏆 2026 SHERIFF OF THE YEAR — SHERIFF TIM KING
With more than 34 years in law enforcement, Sheriff King has dedicated his career to serving and protecting others. His leadership, commitment to modernizing the department, and determination to provide the citizens of Cotton County with professional law enforcement services have helped shape the agency we are today.
🏆 MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD — CAPTAIN KRU SIMPSON
Recognized for his exceptional dedication, leadership, and commitment to the law enforcement profession, Captain Simpson has completed more than 1,050 hours of professional training while taking on numerous responsibilities within the Sheriff’s Office, including oversight of our K-9 Program.
🏅 LIFESAVING AWARDS
Five members of the Cotton County Sheriff’s Office were recognized for their lifesaving actions during a February 27, 2026, incident along U.S. Highway 70 near Randlett.
Recipients:
* Deputy Lori Hedges
* Deputy Sarah Hedges
* Captain Kru Simpson
* Deputy Rusty Fraze
* Undersheriff John Coffell
Their actions during a life-threatening medical emergency demonstrated the importance of training, quick decision-making, teamwork, and the commitment to preserving human life.
💙 FIVE OUT OF SIX YEARS — A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE!
Perhaps one of the most remarkable accomplishments of the evening is what these awards represent in the bigger picture.
The Cotton County Sheriff’s Office has now received recognition from the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association in FIVE of the last SIX years!
For a small, rural Sheriff’s Office serving a county with limited resources, this is an extraordinary accomplishment.
These awards are not simply handed out. They represent recognition from fellow law enforcement professionals across the State of Oklahoma for exceptional service, leadership, dedication, and actions that go above and beyond the ordinary responsibilities of the badge.
Year after year, the men and women of the Cotton County Sheriff’s Office have demonstrated that excellence in law enforcement is not determined by the size of a department, the population of a county, or the resources available. It is determined by the character, commitment, and dedication of the people who wear the badge.
Behind every award are countless hours of training, long shifts, missed family gatherings, difficult decisions, and a genuine desire to make Cotton County a safer place to live.
And behind every officer is a family, a community, and a network of people whose support makes this service possible.
We are grateful to our families, our fellow first responders, our county officials, and especially the citizens of Cotton County for their continued trust and support.
To every member of the Cotton County Sheriff’s Office, past and present, these accomplishments reflect the dedication and teamwork that continue to move our agency forward.
And to our 2026 award recipients — congratulations on an outstanding achievement!
We may be a small county, but we have an incredible team doing extraordinary things.
💙🖤 COTTON COUNTY PROUD. OKLAHOMA RECOGNIZED. FIVE OUT OF SIX YEARS STRONG! 🖤💙
