A White Settlement police officer’s act of community engagement captured in a photo has won national acclaim in a DOJ contest.
WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas — A moment from a White Settlement community event is now getting national attention.
The city’s top cop is proud of all the men and women who protect and serve, but one photo captured the moment one of his officers’ services that makes him extremely proud.
The U.S. Department of Justice COPS Office has selected the White Settlement Police Department as a winner in its nationwide annual photo contest, placing the department among a small group of agencies recognized across the country.
The contest, titled “Uplifting the Image Highlighting Heroes,” debuted this year and focuses on the everyday work law enforcement officers do to build trust and connect with the communities they serve.
White Settlement was one of only two Texas law enforcement agencies chosen and one of just 12 nationwide to receive the honor.
As a result, the department will be featured throughout 2026 on the DOJ COPS Office website, its social media platforms, and in the agency’s national e newsletter, The CP Dispatch.
“This is a tremendous honor for our local hometown police department and the hardworking men and women being recognized as leaders in building trust and highlighting heroes who go out every day to serve our community,” Christopher Cook said.
The winning photo captures Geovanny Ramirez helping a young child take a ride in a battery-operated police car during a community event, a moment Chief Cook said reflects the department’s commitment to community policing.
Special recognition also went to resident and police volunteer Derek Staine, who took the photo that earned the national recognition.
Other agencies selected as winners include the University of Texas at Austin Police Department, Niagara County Sheriff’s Office in New York, and police departments in cities like Boston, Bradenton, Fort Smith, and Appleton.