Sheriff's Office • 100 North Fifth Avenue West • Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 726-2340 • www.stlouiscountymn.gov
Ross Litman
Sheriff
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 27, 2022
Media Contact: Sheriff Ross Litman
(218) 726-2340
Three local law enforcement recognized for DWI prevention efforts
Three law enforcement officers - each from a different agency - are being recognized for their work to remove impaired drivers from area roads. During a short ceremony at the Public Safety Building in Duluth on Thursday, Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Jacob Christopherson, Duluth Police Officer Todd Simmons, and St. Louis County Deputy Sheriff Matt Sobczak were presented with commemorative "Hat Trick" hockey sticks in recognition for each successfully stopping three drunk drivers in a single shift.
“Arresting an impaired driver may be one of the most complex tasks a law enforcement officer undertakes," said Michael Hanson, Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety Director, who presented the hockey sticks to the officers. "To excel at this lifesaving skill takes knowledge, dedication, commitment, and the ability to deal with individuals who are not at their best. The Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety is proud to recognize the truly outstanding work exhibited by the officer, trooper, and deputy who save lives with every impaired driver they take off the road."
Trooper Christopherson was recognized for his work on the night of November 13, 2021. He also previously accomplished this safety hat trick in 2018 and 2019.
This is a third hat trick for Deputy Sobczak, as well. This specific recognition is for his work on the night of September 29, 2021. He has two others dating back to August of 2020.
Officer Simmons received hat trick recognition for his work on October 22, 2021. He has been recognized once before for arresting three drunk drivers during a single shift in 2018, and just accomplished the same during a shift earlier this month.
"Every day, about 28 people in the United States die in drunk-driving related crashes," said Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken. "Enforcement on impaired drivers is Officer Todd Simmons and these other law enforcement officers' priority. These individuals aim to remove impaired drivers who pose a public safety risk on the roadways, to ensure everyone gets to their destinations safely."
“Drunk and impaired driving continue to be a concern and a danger on our roads," said St. Louis County Undersheriff Jason Lukovsky. "Each time we can stop a drunk driver, we are potentially saving their life as well as the lives of others. We are grateful to the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety for providing us the funding through the Toward Zero Death initiative so that Deputy Sobczak, as well as the other officers being recognized, can focus entirely on DWI enforcement. Our communities are safer as a result.”
The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office and Duluth Police Department both receive grant funding through the state's Toward Zero Deaths program, which fund a full time position. This allows Deputy Sobczak and Officer Simmons to focus entirely on improving traffic safety by stopping impaired drivers.
 L-R are: St. Louis County Undersheriff Jason Lukovsky, Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken, Duluth Police Officer Todd Simmons, Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Jacob Christopherson, St. Louis County Deputy Sheriff Matt Sobczak, MN Office of Traffic Safety Law Enforcement Liaison Frank Scherf, Minnesota State Patrol Captain Charles Lemon, and MN Office of Traffic Safety Director Michael Hanson.
 Duluth Police Officer Todd Simmons, Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Jacob Christopherson and St. Louis County Deputy Sheriff Matt Sobczak are being recognized for their efforts at DWI prevention. Each arrested three drunk drivers during a single shift.
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