At an awards event last week, four deputies were recognized for their outstanding effort and commitment toward reducing underage drinking and tobacco use in the county.

The 14th Annual Wicomico County Underage Substance Use Reduction Awards Luncheon were hosted by the Drug Free Wicomico Coalition was to acknowledge the efforts of those in the community who work to stem underage drinking and drug abuse.

The deputies who were recognized:

• Deputy Ryan Osterwalder -- Drug Free Wicomico Underage Drinking Award.
• Deputy First Class Jennifer Hall -- Tobacco Leadership Award.
• Deputy First Class Jeffrey Chase -- Tobacco Award.
• Deputy First Class David Goldberg -- Tobacco Award.

Additionally, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office received the Tobacco Community Award and Community Underage Use Impact Award.

Other local law enforcement officers were honored. The Drug Free Wicomico Underage Drinking Presidential Award went to Detective Mark Merritt of the Salisbury Police Department and Officer John Herbert of the Fruitland Police Department.

Also honored:

• Drug Free Wicomico UCpl. Blaine Guard of the Fruitland Police Department
• Police Officer Matt Weiss of the Salisbury Police Department
• Officer 1st Class James Jackson of the Fruitland Police Department
• Police Officer Thomas Burt of the Salisbury Police Department
• Officer 1st Class Benjamin Mills of the Fruitland Police Department
• Officer 1st Class Jerome Weldon of the Fruitland Police Department
• Police Officer Wayne Robbins
• Deputy Ryan Osterwalder
• Cpl. Richard Engle
• Cpl. Daniel Holland
• Cpl. Nicholas McLeod
• Officer 1st Class Christopher McIntyre
• Officer 1st Class James Kerr
• Cpl. Matthew Brown
• Officer 1st Class Joel Arnold
• Officer Thomas McMenamy
• Trooper Gary Mazet

The Drug Free Wicomico Community Underage Drug Use Impact Awards were awarded to:

• Youth Leadership Academy
• Melissa Batie Johnson
• PAC 14
• Marie Allen
• Culver Enterprises Inc.
• Salisbury Police Department
• Fruitland Police Department
• Delmar Police Department

The Drug Free Wicomico Community Underage Drinking Leadership Awards were awarded to:

• Assistant State’s Attorney Clay Groton
• Valerie Wagner
• Karen Waggoner
• Nanticoke Community Alliance
• Businesses recognized for Drug Free Wicomico Establishment Awards:
• Brew River
• Cheers Beer and Wine
• Pitt Stop Beer and Wine
• Applebee’s
• Chicken Man
• Express Mart
• La Tolteca Restaurant
• Royal Farms store, 27992 Ocean Gateway
• Royal Farms store, 1401 S. Division St.
• Wetcher Whistle