DATE: June 3, 2026
SUBJECT: Vanderburgh County Deputy Recognized as Indiana’s Top Drug Recognition Expert
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-NR-0603B
CONTACT: Major Matt Corn
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce that Deputy Matt Gardner has been recognized as Indiana’s Top Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) for 2025. The award was presented during the Indiana Traffic Safety Conference in Bloomington, Indiana.
Drug Recognition Experts are specially trained law enforcement officers who identify and evaluate drivers suspected of being impaired by drugs. DREs play a critical role in traffic safety by assisting law enforcement agencies in detecting impairment and helping remove impaired drivers from Indiana roadways.
The Indiana Drug Recognition Expert Awards Program was established by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute in 2016 to recognize outstanding DREs across the state. Each year, a select group of officers is honored for their dedication to impaired driving enforcement, training, and public safety.
Deputy Gardner earned the Top DRE award after conducting 81 DRE evaluations during 2025, including 66 evaluations directly related to enforcement actions. His efforts have contributed significantly to impaired driving investigations and roadway safety throughout Vanderburgh County and beyond.
In addition to his enforcement responsibilities, Deputy Gardner serves as both a Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) Instructor and a Drug Recognition Expert Instructor. In these roles, he trains law enforcement officers from agencies across Indiana on impaired driving detection, drug impairment indicators, and enforcement techniques.
“Deputy Gardner’s commitment to impaired driving enforcement, training, and public safety has made a tremendous impact both locally and across Indiana,” said Sheriff Noah Robinson. “This award is a reflection of his professionalism, expertise, and dedication to keeping our roadways safe. We are proud to see his efforts recognized at the state level.”
The award was presented by the 2024 Top DRE recipient, Sgt. Zac Crabtree, and Indiana Impaired Driving Coordinator Marshal Depew.
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office congratulates Deputy Matt Gardner on this outstanding achievement and thanks him for his continued service to our community and the State of Indiana.
Pictured left to right, Marshal Depew and Sgt. Zac Crabtree of the Columbia City Police Department
Pictured left to right, Lt. Erik Nilssen, Dep. Jordan Kuester (DRE), Dep. Matt Gardner (DRE), Dep. Macy Pace (DRE)
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