WAYNESVILLE — A Waynesville police officer caught up in last year's racial-profiling controversy has been named officer of the year by his peers.

        Officer Ryan Stanaford was honored by the department at an awards banquet Nov. 24. He was recognized for his work in drug- and alcohol-abuse enforcement, and his strong work ethic.

        “Since coming to the department he's had very great success in drug- and alcohol-abuse enforcement cases,” Waynesville Village Manager Kevin Harper said. “Beyond that, he is a very hard worker ... he seems to be setting a good example of policing in the community.”

        The officer was one of two Waynesville policemen accused of racial profiling in a traffic stop of two young African-Americans and a Hispanic man Feb. 26, 2000. The men said they were singled out by officers who drew their guns and detained them because of their race. The three were released without being charged.

        A Warren County Sheriff's Office investigation subsequently cleared the officers of the racial-profiling allegations.

        But Officer Stanaford was among several people and agencies named in a lawsuit filed in March by the three men. The $3 million lawsuit was filed by Saul Plaza Jr., a Hispanic soldier from Monroe, and his two African-American companions, Dwenton Jackson and DeAngelo Harrington, both of Middletown.

        Dennis Lieberman, a lawyer representing the men who were stopped, said negotiations to settle the suit are continuing. He was not aware of Officer Stanaford's recent honor until being told by reporter on Thursday.

        “The recognition really has nothing to do with our lawsuit,” he said.

        Former Waynesville Mayor Charles Sanders, an African-American who called last year for the police chief to be fired over the incident, said he likes to hear about the positives of the police department.

        “That's fine. I'm glad he got the (recognition), I hope he really earned it,” said Mr. Sanders, ousted by voters after the divisive controversy last year. “I'd like to make clear that my criticism of the Feb. 26 stop by the Waynesville Police Department was of the police department performance in general.I want to make sure that our laws and are evenly and equally enforced against all individuals regardless of your ethnic background.”

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