Enrique Camarena Award Criteria

Elks Drug Awareness Program

Enrique S. Kiki Camarena was an 11 year veteran agent of the DEA, who was kidnapped, brutally tortured and then murdered in Mexico in 1985. Prior to serving with the DEA, Agent Camarena was a firefighter, a criminal investigator and a narcotics officer. He was a loving husband and a father of three children. His death has inspired millions of Americans to lead a drug-free life and the Elks celebrate his commitment to this effort with an annual award.

October is traditionally Red Ribbon month, a time when people wear red ribbons to commemorate Agent Camarena’s ultimate sacrifice. The millions of Americans who wear these ribbons visibly take a stand that they are opposed to illicit drug use and commemorate all of those who have been tragically affected by the results of use and abuse.

Each year, the BPO Elks present the Enrique S. Camarena Award to a member of law enforcement who best exemplifies the qualities and principles for which Agent Camarena gave his life. Nominees should be involved in their communities in efforts to make them drug-free. Nominees should have the support of their agency and respect of their community.

Nominations should be submitted to the State Drug Awareness Chairman by Dec. 1. Local Elks Lodge awards and. National selection will take place in December and the award will be presented at an appropriate setting during 2016.

Basic Criteria

  • This award should be presented to an individual and not an organization. Consideration will be given to a team within an organization, but ideally the award should go to an individual.
  • The individual should be living, but consideration will be given to presenting this award posthumously.
  • The nominee should be involved in law enforcement.
  • The nominee should be a positive role model committed to a healthy lifestyle.
  • The nominee should have made an outstanding contribution in the field of drug awareness/prevention.
  • Ideally, the nominee has been identified as someone who has gone “above & beyond” their normal duties – someone who has made a difference.
  • The nominee must have the support of their superiors.
  • If selected, the nominee must be willing to attend an awards ceremony.
  • Nomination must be in narrative form and include endorsements & recommendations from appropriate sources (Departments, Governments, Citizens etc.)
  • Nomination should contain a list of nominee’s previous awards & accomplishments.
  • Lastly, the nominee should exemplify the standards by which Enrique Camarena lived, worked and died – that one person can make a difference.

All nominations must be returned to Jerry Brien via email by Dec. 1st

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