Chief Mark Ballard and the Starkville Police Department are pleased to announce that D.A.R.E. Officer, Corporal Tonya McWhirter, was honored as the National D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year at the 36th D.A.R.E. International Training Conference on July 29, 2024, in Orlando, Florida.

Corporal McWhirter, a dedicated law enforcement professional with 24 years of service, began her career at Mississippi State University’s Police Department. She later joined the Louisville Police Department, becoming their first female certified officer. McWhirter excelled in the D.A.R.E. program, earning numerous certifications and awards, and eventually became the lead D.A.R.E. Officer. She was promoted to Juvenile Investigator and Corporal and then trained as a D.A.R.E. Mentor, working with various state training centers. McWhirter was honored as Mississippi’s D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year in 2016. She later joined the Starkville Police Department, where she expanded the D.A.R.E. program.

“Corporal McWhirter’s recognition as the National D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year is a well-deserved honor that reflects her longtime passion and dedication to the D.A.R.E. program,” said Chief Mark Ballard. “Her innovative approach and commitment to the program’s evolution ensure that our students are equipped with the skills they need to make positive decisions and lead healthy lives. This recognition is a testament to the effectiveness of our D.A.R.E. officers in educating and empowering our young community members.”

The D.A.R.E. program of yesterday is not the D.A.R.E. program of today. More than a “Just Say No” program, D.A.R.E.’s evolving curriculum is a proactive approach to address trends and issues such as opioid abuse, cyberbullying, internet safety, and other relevant topics. The program covers a range of life skills, including communication, responsibility, and managing stress. D.A.R.E.’s mission is “Teaching students good decision-making skills to help them lead safe and healthy lives.”