Tuhy is recognized by DOT

Some people go the extra mile for traffic safety.

Three are being honored by the North Dakota Department of Transportation's Office of Traffic Safety as 2007 inductees to the Traffic Safety Honor Roll.

Stark County Sheriff Clarence Tuhy was one of the three inductees.

"I was surprised and honored," Tuhy said. "The thing is, we do it to help the public. We don't do it to win awards. So when you do get recognized, it's really an honor."

Tuhy was nominated for the award by DLN Consulting owner Deb Nelson.

"He's had a lot of longevity and commitment on his part," Nelson said. "He's given a lot of commitment to traffic safety, reducing injuries and fatalities. He was very deserving and I'm extremely happy that he was selected."

Director of Drivers License and Traffic Safety Marsha Lembke was part of the committee that selected Tuhy as an honoree.

"It was a combination of things," Lembke said. "Mainly his long-term commitments, and in so doing that, he has helped to reduce the injuries and fatalities in Stark County. He also does a really good job at volunteering for the coalition-sponsored activities out there."

Tuhy has been a driving force behind the Southwest Coalition of Safe Communities since its inception in 1987. He is a consistent volunteer for coalition-sponsored activities, doing everything from staffing booths to delivering traffic safety materials, and speaking to students and adults throughout the community.

Tuhy is a certified child passenger safety technician and participates in many of the child safety seat checks in the community.

He also participates in sobriety checkpoints, underage alcohol education, compliance checks and a variety of traffic safety education.

During his career, he has motivated a number of police officers and deputies to become involved in the community coalition.

"I was very surprised I was nominated," Tuhy said. "I always do my job, just hoping to make a difference so when you do get recognized, it's an honor. It's great that people take notice and it shows that hard work does pay off."

Also inducted was North Dakota Highway Patrol Capt. Kyle Ternes of Devils Lake and Minot Police Department Sgt. Margie Zietz.