At the January Locust City Council meeting, the Locust Police Department recognized its 2022 Citizen of the Year.

The award, started in 2021, honors the Locust citizen or individual associated with the city, that “has performed exemplary deeds or services for their city or their fellow citizens and/or exhibits a strong sense of selflessness, caring and responsibility.”

The 2022 award was given to Travis McKinney, a loss prevention associate for the Locust Walmart.

Locust Police Chief Jeff Shew, left, and the department recognized Travis McKinney as Citizen of the Year Jan. 12. (Contributed)

McKinney has been in that position in Locust for close to 10 years and his contributions to Locust law enforcement activities over that tenure have been immensely vital and helpful, according to Locust Police.

“Over the last 9 ½ years, Travis has shown a tremendous ability to read behavior and body language, identify those engaged in criminal activity and an outstanding visual recall of previously unidentified suspects who return to the business to commit additional crimes,” Police Chief Jeff Shew said. “In 2022 through the first 11 months of the year, Mr. McKinney was involved as the loss prevention investigator in 134 property crime or fraud activity reports at the Locust Walmart. Of those reports, 110 resulted in an arrest or other positive clearance which equates to an incredible 82.1% positive clearance rate.

“This level of clearance has remained consistent throughout Mr. McKinney’s tenure with the constant in that stretch being Travis’ abilities as an investigator, his contributions to department investigations and the relationships and partnerships he has established with Locust officers,” Shew added. “The extremely efficient job that Mr. McKinney does daily and his dedication to his role mitigating loss to the business assists the Locust Police Department greatly in bringing criminals to justice and in sending a very strong message opposing any type of criminal activity in Locust.”