One Albert Lea police officer is receiving multiple accolades for his work to keep the city’s roads safe from drunken drivers.

Officer David Doppelhammer, an officer with the Albert Lea Police Department since 1999, was notified this week he was selected as a 2011 DWI Enforcer All-Star by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. He was selected for the award because of his dedication to arrest impaired drivers and keep roads safe.

Doppelhammer will receive the award, which includes an engraved DWI Enforcer All-Star commemorative bat, during the pre-game festivities of the Minnesota Twins versus Detroit Tigers game at Target Field on July 21.

Albert Lea Police Lt. J.D. Carlson said Doppelhammer made 55 DWI arrests during 2010, regardless of being assigned to bike patrol from June through September. During the months he was assigned to patrol, his primary shift was 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

“David’s traffic enforcement initiatives have made the city of Albert Lea’s streets safer,” Carlson said. “Directing patrols to enforce DWIs, speed, seat belts and distracted drivers are a mainstay of Safe & Sober enhancements, proven to save lives.”

Doppelhammer will also be recognized by the Minnesota Alcohol Traffic Safety Association at the end of April at a conference in St. Cloud with a similar award.

In March, he was honored by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers in a statewide recognition awards ceremony.

“It feels good to get the recognition that I have been receiving,” Doppelhammer said. “However, I am just doing the job that I took an oath to do, protecting the citizens of Albert Lea. This is more about drinking and driving than it is about me.”

He said while he has always viewed DWI enforcement as an important aspect of patrol, within the last couple years he has also become involved with the Toward Zero Deaths campaign, which is the statewide effort to reduce the number of traffic fatalities.

He focuses much of his efforts on reducing the numbers of people who choose to drink and drive because they contribute to preventable deaths and injuries, he added.

Reducing drinking and driving numbers is also an important part of maintaining a high quality of life.

“If someone is a victim of a drunk driver, not only their quality of life will be affected, but so will their family and friends,” Doppelhammer said.

He reminded people that if they are going to go out drinking, they should do it responsibly. He said they should have a plan in place ahead of time on how they are going to get home safely, along with a backup plan if their first plan falls through.

He noted another good idea is to have the phone numbers of  local taxi companies programmed into their cell phones.