Last week, representatives from the Union County Sheriff’s Office attended the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Awards of Excellence ceremony, which honors outstanding law enforcement efforts across the state. During the event, Sheriff Eddie Cathey was named Sheriff of the Year for 2025. This prestigious award recognizes his unwavering leadership, strong commitment to public safety, and proactive efforts to combat impaired driving.
Sheriff Cathey was instrumental in identifying the need for a dedicated task force to address impaired driving in Union County. In 2015, through Governor’s Highway Safety Program grant funding, the DWI Task Force – SAFE Unit (Sheriff’s Alcohol Field Enforcement) was established. Since its creation, the unit has played a critical role in reducing impaired driving and increasing roadway safety.
In 2025 alone, the SAFE Unit arrested 368 impaired drivers in Union County. In addition, the Sheriff’s Office conducts numerous multi-agency checkpoints throughout the year. This past year, we hosted our first border-to-border multi-agency checkpoint in partnership with the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office, Kannapolis Police Department, and Locust Police Department, demonstrating our commitment to keeping impaired drivers off the road.
The Sheriff’s Office also has three certified Drug Recognition Experts (DREs). Becoming a DRE is a rigorous and highly selective process. Law enforcement professionals must first complete 84 hours of specialized impaired driving training before applying. Candidates must then submit letters of recommendation and appear before a selection committee. Once accepted, they undergo an additional 80 hours of intensive training, along with field certifications and evaluations. Upon successful completion, they are certified through the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).
Deputy Linquist, a member of the SAFE Unit, was also recognized at the ceremony and named DRE of the Year. He led the entire state in drug influence evaluations, conducting an impressive 58 DRE evals in 2025. His dedication, expertise, and work ethic have made a significant impact on impaired driving enforcement in Union County.
Deputy Linquist’s achievement highlights not only his individual commitment, but also the effectiveness and professionalism of the SAFE Unit as a whole.
Please help us congratulate these individuals for their outstanding achievements.
