Putnam County ICE deputies recognized as 'best in state'

Banner Graphic/Jared jernagan DEA representatives were on hand at the Putnam County Jail Thursday to present deputies Ben Pyatt, Dwight Simmons and Craig Sibbitt with certificates for having the best Interstate drug enforcement record in the state. Pictured are, front from left, Pyatt, Simmons, Sheriff Steve Fenwick, Sibbitt, Chief Deputy Doug Nally; back, DEA representatives Kevin Steele, Dennis Wichern and Noel Gaertner.

GREENCASTLE -- Three Putnam County Sheriff's Department deputies were honored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Thursday for their record of drug arrests along Interstate 70.

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dennis Wichern, right, presents Putnam County Sheriff's Deputy Dwight Simmons with a certificate for his drug enforcement efforts along I-70. Simmons, Ben Pyatt and Craig Sibbitt were all honored by the DEA for having the best drug enforcement record in the state.

Dennis A. Wichern, DEA assistant special agent in charge from the Indianapolis office, praised Interstate Criminal Enforcement officers Ben Pyatt, Craig Sibbitt and Dwight Simmons for their stellar record along I-70.

"You guys are the best in the state, and I don't say that lightly," Wichern said.

Wichern, Special Agent Kevin Steele and Group Supervisor Noel Gaertner were at the Putnam County Jail to present the three officers with certificates and plaques for their accomplishments.

Leads that begin with simple traffic stops here in Putnam County have led all the way back to the west coast, with arrests being made there. Wichern said things could also lead to big busts on the east coast in the future.

"You guys are helping with nationwide cases; you truly are," he said.

With the good work Pyatt, Sibbit and Simmons are doing, Wichern had nothing but praise.

"There's nobody in this state that can match up to you guys," he said.