Marsha Smith - Publisher, Kern Valley Sun

On Jan. 19, Dwayne Kirkham was honored as Law Officer of the Year at the annual Kern County Sheriff’s Department Reserve dinner. Kirkham has served as a reserve deputy in Kern County for more than 32 years. The dinner was held at the Elk’s Lodge in Bakersfield. He was also honored for logging 687 hours of volunteer time as a reserve in the year 2007. This is the second time he has been awarded the Law Officer of the Year award, first receiving in 1986.

A letter from Kern Valley High School was read during the ceremony, commending Kirkham for his dedicated service to the school. For more than 27 years his 'on duty presence' at football and basketball games, dances and special school events on campus did not go unrecognized.

Dwayne Kirkham with his Reserve Officer of the Year Award.

His presence at the recent 'lockdown' at Kern Valley High School campus was also acknowledged.

Reserve officers are volunteers and are not paid for the many hours they put in assisting their communities wherever the need requires their time.

Dwayne Kirkham and his first wife, who passed away in 1977, came to the valley in 1970 and operated Isabella Hardware. In 1978 he married Sandy and they ran the hardware store until 2005 when they sold the business. Dwayne put 35 years into the store and Sandy said what he misses most is the people. He also retired from Search and Rescue in 2000 after 30 years of service, 12 of which he served as captain.

His wife Sandy Kirkham, said of her husband, 'He is a quiet, committed person and loves working with the kids at the school as well as community. I am his biggest fan and proud of his hours of devotion to volunteering and serving his fellow man.'