Officer Brayden Snow of the Murphy Police Department was honored on Thursday, April 30, 2026 for his outstanding work in keeping North Carolina roads safe. During an awards ceremony hosted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) North Carolina, Officer Snow received the Police Officer of the Year award.
The ceremony highlighted that Officer Snow is relatively new to the force, with less than two years on the job. Despite his short time in uniform, he has already made a massive impact. In 2025, he successfully removed 32 impaired drivers from the roadway. In a small town like Murphy, where officers often work the night shift alone, his proactive approach has been credited with preventing potential tragedies.
The speech given in his honor noted that Officer Snow has quickly become a regional expert in field sobriety and chemical analysis. His skills are so well-regarded that veteran officers from surrounding agencies now look to him for help with complex cases. Beyond making arrests, Snow was praised for building community trust by participating in events like "National Night Out" and reading to local elementary students for "Read Across America."
About the Event
The awards banquet took place at The Forum at 42 in Selma, North Carolina. The event was organized by MADD to show gratitude to the men and women who work to end impaired driving.
Law enforcement officers from across the entire state were in attendance, including representatives from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, various Sheriff's Offices, Police Departments, and Wildlife Resources Commissioners. The evening served as a reminder of the progress made in road safety.