Optimist Club names Borders Officer of Year | Collierville Independent

Chambers at the Town of Collierville Courthouse were filled with fellow officers, family and members of the Memphis Shelby County Optimist Club when Officer Steve Borders, wife Pam, and children Isabella, Samantha and Jared made their way to the front for the ‘Respect for Law’ Officer of the Year’ Award.

Collierville Police Chief Larry Goodwin recommended Officer Borders for the 2013 recognition by the Optimist Club by citing the 2005 beginning of his career with the Collierville Police Department.

“In 2006, he graduated Summa cum Laude from Kaplan University with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice,” Goodwin said.

Since 1964, Evonne Siemer of the Memphis and Shelby County Optimist Club Respect the Law Committee, said the award, which originated in Shelby County, is now a nationally recognized award and Borders recognition is one of seven awards presented in Shelby County.

A proclamation by Mayor Stan Joyner, acknowledged May 5-10 as “Respect for Law” Week in Collierville and Gary Swinger, on behalf of Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, also presented a proclamation.

Borders received the Award from Donnie Walden, Shelby County Optimist Club committee Chair. Presented annually, the program aims at combating crime, respect for the law, and to maintain faith in the preservation of the law, and the appreciation and importance of law enforcement officers.

“This is an honor, blessing and a privilege,” Borders said. “I would be nothing without God, my family and my fellow brothers and sisters in Blue.”

Goodwin also acknowledged Borders as a graduate of the Memphis Police Training Academy’s 18th regional class and noted his ‘strong work ethic and leadership’, making him ‘an obvious choice for the department’s Field Training Officer position.

“He continues to set the bar as a traffic officer,” Goodwin said.

He was recognized as Officer of the Month by in December 2013, which culminated in an outstanding year as he worked 242 crashes, issued 579 citations and made 97 arrests.

“His stats equate to an average of over 48 citations a month and over eight arrests a month,” Goodwin said.