Utah Attorney General official wins governor's service award

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert honored a top Utah law enforcement official for his efforts to prevent Internet predators, child abductions and crime committed by undocumented immigrants.

Ken Wallentine, director of law enforcement for the Utah Attorney General's Office, received the Governor's Award for Outstanding Public Service at a ceremony Monday.

The award recognizes individuals who use "creativity and resourcefulness to better the community they serve," according to a statement from the AG's office.

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff called Wallentine a "21st century renaissance man."

"He's a law enforcement officer, attorney, author and nationally recognized authority on police work," Shurtleff said. "He loves the people of this state and the men and women of law enforcement who serve and protect them."

Under Wallentine's direction, the state's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force leads the nation in per-capita arrests of child predators, the release states.

Among other accomplishments, Wallentine has overseen successful programs to solve cold-case homicides and prevent identity theft and child abductions. Wallentine credits his success to the other members of his division.

"They loan me hearts and brains and deserve credit for doing the real work," he said.

— Josh Smith