Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Iowa Cubs team up for First Responders Night

Des Moines — Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Iowa staff teamed up with the Iowa Cubs on June 27, to recognize MADD Hero Award Winners who went above and beyond to save lives through enforcement and education of impaired driving laws in 2023.

MADD Iowa honored 37 officers from across the state who were nominated by others in their department for their efforts in saving lives through traffic enforcement and public education. Conservation officers Adam Arnold and Nate Johnson, with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), were recognized for their efforts enhancing the DNR’s impaired driving enforcement education related to ATV’s, snowmobiles and boating enforcement.

“Both Adam and Nate are top performers in our boating while intoxicated enforcement efforts year after year, and both teach boating while intoxicated courses across the state to our agency and to others,” said Captain Matt Bruner, with the Iowa DNR’s Law Enforcement Bureau.

Also recognized were officers with the Iowa State Patrol, County Sheriff Offices, and local Police Departments. Officers awarded have many achievements individually, some of which include ARIDE Certification, DRE Certification, SFST Instructor Certification, and being local advocates to educate youth about impaired driving. 

Before the game’s first pitch, MADD Hero honorees were brought onto the tops of the dugouts while the Iowa Cubs announcer introduced them to the crowd.