Two members of the Murphy Police Department’s Explorer Post were honored recently by the Texas Law Enforcement Explorer Advisors Association with $500 scholarships during the most recent State Explorer Competition, according to Murphy Police Officer and Post Advisor Sarah Ashmore.
“Two of our outstanding members, Daniel Moszak and Emma Brandon, were each awarded $500 scholarships,” she said. “There were only ten such scholarships awarded in the entire state, and Murphy Explorers took two of them.” Both have attained the rank of Sergeant in the Post’s leadership team.
Moszak and Brandon are two of the local Post’s most experienced Explorers, having been part of the program for several years, and both are planning to make use of the scholarships to continue their education.
Also during the two-day competition, the state’s 25th annual held at UT Arlington, the local Post scored first in the state in White Collar Crime and Intoxicated Driver, two of the several scenarios in which Explorers are required to react as though they were the responding police officers.
“The criteria with which they are judged is exactly the same as we adhere to as regular police officers,” said Ashmore. “Any clerical mistakes, errors in judgment, missed details or overlooked protocols result in demerits and lowered scores. Of course, in real life, those same mistakes could spell instant disaster or even loss of life.”
The two first place finishes mean the Murphy team outperformed all of the 93 teams at the competition, hailing from all over Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma. Team members included Moszak, Jocelyn Manrique, Morgan Sibley and Natalia Segura.
Several other Explorers also attended, serving as actors in the scenario presented by the Murphy Police Department. Each year, the Murphy contingent hosts the Crime Scene Search scenario, sending the actors, judges and equipment for the presentation. Actor/Explorers included Brandon, Mackenzie Richlark, David Eisenzopf and Crystal DeLeon.
“While I serve as lead advisor, we have a wonderful group of advisors and assistants,” added Ashmore. Assisting during the recent competition were Damon and Daril Doran, Rick Lopez, Carlos Gallegos and Dave Brandon.
The program is open to youth ages 15-21 who have an interest in law enforcement. Interested individuals should contact Officer Ashmore at sashmore@murphytx.org.