2008 Supervisor of the Year - Tara Maxwell

Tara began her police career at another area police agency as a records clerk. In 1996, she started working for the Hurst Police Department as a dispatcher. It didn't’t take long for Tara to realize that Hurst was the best city to work for. For the past 13 years, she has held the following positions; telecommunicator, crime analyst/property assistant, property custodian to her current position as the communications supervisor. After trying many other positions within the police field, Tara realized her true passion is the communications section. Tara feels that her accomplishments as a supervisor are credited to the large amount of support given to her by the telecommunicators as they all grew together as a team. Tara was also awarded Civilian of the Year in 1999. 
She grew up in North Richland Hills where she also resides today. She has been married to her husband Alan for 13 years and is the proud mother of three children; Sabrina (12), Preston (6) and Garret (3). Her favorite hobbies and pastimes include keeping up with and chasing her three kids. Congratulations Tara on your Supervisor of the Year award!

2008 Officer of the Year - Cheryl Kovach

Cheryl was born in Fort Worth but was raised in Hurst. She graduated high school from L.D. Bell and then went on to graduate from Arlington Court Reporting College but soon made a career change into law enforcement. Eighteen years later, she still loves working for the City of Hurst and being a police officer. Cheryl worked as the Hurst Police Department’s Family Violence Officer for many years. While in this position, she was involved in numerous projects including forming the first Citizens Police Academy Class, the first Police Activity Leagues Camp, and the first city-wide Dare Celebration. Cheryl was a Dare Officer for over ten years and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it!  She is also a bike officer, a training officer, and a hostage negotiator.
Cheryl feels blessed to have been married for twenty years to her high school sweetheart, Doug. She and her husband love to travel abroad, and look forward to their trips each year. They are very involved with their church and Sunday School Class. Cheryl loves to antique and enjoy trips to Canton. Congratulations Cheryl on an award that was well deserved.

Rookie of the Year - Kenya Meza

Kenya was born in Mexico City, Mexico but raised in Fort Worth, TX. After she graduated high school in Fort Worth, she served five and half years on active duty in the U. S. Army where she was stationed in Korea for one year. Kenya attended Tarrant County College and received an Associate Degree in General Studies.  She became employed as the first Hispanic female police officer for the City of Hurst in January 2007.  She is currently assigned to Patrol.
Kenya is married to Victor and they have three children: Jules, Kenya, and Rebeca. They also have two Malitpoos, Coco and Princesa. Welcome to the Hurst Police Department Kenya!

Civilian of the Year - Nathan Gonzales

Nathan was born in Lubbock, TX but raised in San Jose, CA. He graduated from Weatherford High School and won a scholarship after becoming the 2003 Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards Dallas Regional Gold Medallion Winner for Journalism. Nathan attended Weatherford College where he was on the dean's list in 2003 and 2004. Nathan started his career as a loss prevention investigator for a grocery store and then went to work for an airline before joining the Hurst Police Department in 2006. He currently serves as a Public Service Officer in the Hurst PD Community Services Division where he assists with the adopt-a-school program, summer camps, and the skywatch tower.
Nathan is a member of a local ministry team which travels to prisons, drug rehabs, and urban outreaches.  He enjoys music, grilling outside, and traveling with his friends and family. Congratulations on your award Nathan!

Past Years' Awards 2000 - 2007