The Memphis and Shelby County Optimist “Respect for the Law Committee,” made up of representatives of the 12 Optimist Clubs in Memphis and Shelby County, have name Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Charles “Marty” Tartera as “Officer of the Year” today at a Ceremony at Sheriff’s Office headquarters at 201 Poplar.

Award Ceremony Left to Right Evonne Siemer and Don Siemer, Airways Optimist Club, Sgt. Marty Tartera, Sgt. Tartera's daughter, Jessica, Sgt. Tartera's wife, Lisa and Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

The Optimist Club has, since the 1960s, given awards to deserving officers for their exemplary service to the community. “We are grateful to the Optimist Club for taking time to honor Sergeant Tartera. He is an excellent officer and truly exemplifies the professional standards of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell, Jr.

Sergeant Tartera is assigned to the Criminal Interdiction Unit. Officers in the unit patrol the interstate system in Shelby County looking for vehicles that might be transporting illegal drugs. He has served in that position for the past eight years.

“Sergeant Tartera goes above and beyond what is expected of him...In 2007 he was recognized as having the largest cocaine seizure by an interdiction officer in Tennessee...he is frequently called on to provide instruction to other agencies on the local, state and federal level”, said Sergeant Tartera’s commander in his nomination letter to the Optimist Club.

Sergeant Tartera, 44, of Bartlett, hired on with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in 1985. Before joining the Criminal Interdiction Unit in 2005, he served in the Patrol, Traffic, and Fugitive Bureaus.

Sgt. Charles “Marty” Tartera Optimist Club's Deputy of the Year

Presenting the “Officer of the Year Award” were Mr. and Mrs. Don Seimer who serve on the leadership team of the Airways Optimist Club.

Sergeant Tartera’s commanders in the Criminal Interdiction Unit and many of his fellow Deputies joined Sheriff Luttrell at the ceremony. Sergeant Tartera’s family also attended.