Beyond the badge: Kari Stuart named MCSO Officer of the Year
M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer
In a profession often defined by its challenges, Deputy Kari Stuart’s commitment stands out, earning her the prestigious title of Officer of the Year for the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Yet, in her own words, a humbled Stuart said the honor came as a profound surprise. “I was honestly shocked and in disbelief.” “There are so many of us in Law Enforcement within McKenzie County...the award [could have] gone to multiple individuals, but it was such a great honor to be considered and recognized.”
For Stuart, the award transcends mere recognition; it speaks to her dedication to serving her community. “It means a lot,” she explained. “It’s recognition from not only my own agency, but also those in the community. Stuart was touched by the honor from those she serves, as well as her colleagues, explaining that it is humbling that their service “does not go unnoticed.”
Her colleagues and the community have responded with an outpouring of support, a “whirlwind of emotions,” as she described it. “I’ve gotten a lot of congratulations from my colleagues as well as those from the community,” Stuart said. “I actually worked a dispatch shift the morning after receiving the award and was congratulated over radio traffic by a few colleagues that shift.”
Stuart attributes her success to a strong sense of teamwork and a willingness to step up wherever needed. “I think it had a lot to do with being a team player,” she stated. “Being assigned to the civil division does not mean I’m only the civil Deputy, I’m still a team player.” Her contributions range from assisting with the 24/7 sobriety program to aiding patrol and dispatch, all while fulfilling her civil deputy duties.
Her journey into law enforcement was inspired by a childhood fascination with cop shows and a deep-seated desire to serve. “It was kind of just a ‘this is what I’m supposed to do’ kind of thing,” Stuart reflected. “It was just something that I felt like I needed to do and could excel at.”
Eight years into her career with MCSO, Stuart has held various roles, starting as a Corrections Officer before transitioning to Patrol Deputy and then Civil Deputy. She also covered the 24/7 Sobriety Program during a vacancy.
The challenges of her job are significant, particularly when dealing with mental health crises and the ongoing struggle with recruitment and retention. “We are constantly responding to calls involving individuals with mental health crises,” Stuart explained. “It’s also hard with recruitment and retention with this career field. This isn’t an easy job and it takes a special person to do and see what we see on a daily basis.”
Yet, the rewards are equally profound. Stuart explains that it means a lot “to create relationships with people throughout the community…there’s also a lot of reward when you get to help people in a time of crisis. We see and deal with people on what sometimes is the worst day of their lives, and getting to help them in a time of need is the biggest reward.” For Stuart, serving her community is about more than just enforcing the law; it’s about building relationships and fostering trust. “Getting to interact with people whether it’s while grabbing an energy drink at the gas station or responding to calls,” she shared. “We have such a supportive community that it’s just a great day getting to interact with people.”
Looking to the future, Stuart hopes to move into investigations and potentially pursue promotion. But for now, she remains focused on serving her community with the same dedication and compassion that earned her the title of Officer of the Year. “You definitely have to have some thick skin doing this job,” Stuart said. “You also have to have passion for this career - there’s much more to it than just taking people to jail and making traffic stops.”
Deputy Stuart’s recognition as Officer of the Year is well-deserved. Beyond the uniform and the duties, she embodies the spirit of service, building bridges and fostering trust in her interactions with community members. Her commitment to going above and beyond, her empathy, and her genuine passion for helping others make her a true asset to the MCSO and a shining example of the positive impact law enforcement can have on a community.
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