A friend to the Wounded Blue: Wichita County Sheriff David Duke receives surprise award

The Wounded Blue nonprofit organization surprised Wichita County Sheriff David Duke with a leadership award on Monday.

Duke was recognized for his outstanding support of injured and disabled officers. The Wounded Blue assists officers who need help due to injury or PTSD — and give them the assistance needed to acclimate them back into the workforce.

"It was a great honor honestly . . . being the first recipient of this leadership award from this organization," Duke said.

Duke entered a room for what he thought would be a meeting only to be surprised by family, Sheriff's Department employees, local city officials and members of the Wounded Blue organization.

"It's monumental to me because I don't expect things like this," he said.

"I've always been a guy that wants to help everybody — make sure everyone is taken care of, including our employees," Duke said.

Wounded Blue Executive Director Jennie Hill said Duke was recognized and honored for helping officers, including one of his own, Tim Putney, sheriff's detective and Wounded Blue peer support director.

Putney was present during the award ceremony to show his thanks.

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This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: A friend to the Wounded Blue: Wichita County Sheriff David Duke receives surprise award