The “Respect for the Law Committee” of the Memphis and Shelby County Optimist Clubs will name Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Charles “Marty” Tartera “Deputy of the Year” on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., at the Criminal Justice Center, 201 Poplar Avenue, 9th Floor, in the Sheriff’s Office Administrative Conference Room.

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

Since the 1960s, the local Optimist Clubs have given awards to Officers from various law enforcement agencies in Shelby County. “We are grateful to the Shelby County Optimist Clubs for honoring Sergeant Tartera. He is an excellent Officer and exemplifies the professional standards of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell, Jr.

Sergeant Tartera is assigned to the West Tennessee Drug Task Force Crime Interdiction Unit. Officers on that unit patrol the interstate system looking for vehicles that might be carrying illegal drugs. Sergeant Tartera has served on the unit since 2005. Sergeant Tartera, 44, of Bartlett, hired on with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in 1985.

Many of Sergeant Tartera’s commanders, fellow Deputies and members of his family are expected to join Sheriff Luttrell at the presentation.

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.