Oakes named Cheney's officer of the year

It's a tough shift for many, but Cheney police Officer Chris Oakes doesn't mind pulling patrol duty on the graveyard shift. The late night to early morning timeframe presents many challenges that day shifts don't often have - beginning with the obvious.

"It's always dark, which is a challenge," Oakes, the department's 2017 Officer of the Year, said.

It's the second time Oakes has received the award, being selected by his peers in 2014. The Tacoma-native has served with the department since 2011, beginning as a reserve and then as a full-time officer after completing academy training in 2013.

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