BPD officer’s merit, performance awarded

During undercover operations, Bloomington Police Department Detective William Jeffers was able to make drug contacts. These same contacts were able to assist him in charging four men in the murder of Mario Wright, which occurred July 19, 2009.

For this reason, Jeffers was named BPD’s Officer of the Year.

Until a month ago, Jeffers worked as a detective with the Bloomington Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit.

“The award has to do with Bill’s homicide investigation last summer,” BPD’s Capt. Joe Qualters said. “He capitalized on his connections with people he knew in the drug world from previous investigations.”

The homicide involved an armed robbery thought to be drug-related. It occurred at Arlington Valley Mobile Park in Bloomington.

Although three of the suspects have charges pending, a jury trial acquitted one of the suspects  last week.

“This acquittal does not negate his efforts in the investigation,” Qualters said.

Jeffers, who graduated from the IU Police Department Police Academy, has been with BPD for about 13 years.

In 2005 he received an award from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Indiana.

“He was awarded with a group of DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) agents and other law enforcement officials due to a joint effort of the conviction of 18 individuals in federal court and 16 individuals convicted in state courts,” said Tim Morrison, U.S.
Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.

Jeffers initiated the case in 2003.

“We had a series of heroin overdoses in Bloomington, and I was able to get a suspect to help us investigate where the heroin was coming from,” Jeffers said.

Jeffers learned of a heroin drug ring that spanned from Chicago to Indianapolis and eventually made its way into Bloomington and Cincinnati.

Jeffers said he contacted the DEA of Indianapolis when he realized the case was out of his jurisdiction.

The Midwest takedown involved 35 search warrants that were served simultaneously in three cities. The drug bust received national coverage.

Recently, BPD expanded its detective division to include general investigations, which Jeffers joined last month.

“Bill has done a fabulous job for us,” Qualters said. “Sometimes, though, you need change, and he seized that opportunity.”

Throughout each quarterly period, a BPD officer from each of the uniformed shifts – day, middle and night – and an afternoon detective officer is nominated for Officer of the Year. At the end of the year, one of these officers receives the award.

The award is given to those who go above and beyond what their job calls for, Qualters said.

“It is a merit award presented on the basis of exceptional performance worthy of recognition,” Qualters said.