1998 NRA Officer Of The Year Award Winner

Cpl. James E. Hosfelt, Jr., City of Dover (Del.) Police Department

Corporal James E. Hosfelt, Jr. is a 10-year veteran of the City of Dover (Del.) Police Department. As a result of his exemplary service with the Dover Police Department, Cpl. Hosfelt has received two Class A Commendations, three Distinguished Unit Citations, numerous meritorious citations, and his department's Distinguished Service Award.

Cpl. Hosfelt earned his second Class A Commendation and his third Distinguished Unit Citations for his actions on the morning of August 20, 1998. While on patrol, he and his partner confronted five armed suspects preparing to hold up a local restaurant, forcing them to flee, first on foot and then in a pick-up truck.

Pursuing them on foot and then by car, Cpl. Hosfelt and his partner apprehended two of the suspects as the other three abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot, two of whom climbed a fence and entered the grounds of a nearby NASCAR speedway. With the help of fellow officers, under his command, he organized and conducted a search of the speedway that brought two more of the suspects into police custody and which led to the capture of the other suspect at his home nearby.

During the chase and search, Cpl. Hosfelt continually demonstrated extraordinary personal courage, always putting the safety of officers under his command above his own. He unselfishly took the personal risks needed to ensure that all five suspects were apprehended and charge.

Cpl. Hosfelt is an active member of the National Rifle Association, a competitive pistol shooter, has served as captain of the Dover Police Pistol Team, and is a member for the Delaware Governor's Twenty. He is an NRA-certified Police Firearms Instructor, Vice President of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 15, and serves as Treasurer of the Delaware Law Enforcement Marksmanship Association.

Cpl. Hosfelt's devotion to duty, courage, leadership, and dedication to the principles of selfless service to his community are all in keeping with the finest traditions of the law enforcement profession. The National Rifle Association is proud to recognize him as its Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for 1998.

The NRA Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award was established in 1993 and recognizes exceptional Valor, Public Service, or Dedication to the Principles of our Constitutional Heritage.