Bro. Steve Cherry receives the Lamar Award of Excellence from Bro. Bob Rhoden.
Steve Cherry graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Police Science, and began his career with the Conroe Police Department in 1972.
He also holds a Texas Master Peace Officer certification and a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Instructor’s certification, and was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on January 18, 1979, in Lockhart Lodge # 690. He is now a member of Billie Mosse Lodge.
Brother Cherry was hired as the first full-time Criminal Justice Instructor at Denison High School in 2000 – a position he still holds. In addition, he works as a reserve police officer in Pottsboro, Texas.
In 2007, Brother Cherry was selected Outstanding Career and Technology Instructor in North Texas, and received a certificate of appreciation from the U.S. Marshals Service for leadership, and devotion to criminal justice and education.
In his fourteen years at Denison High School, he has been named “Most Influential Teacher” by DHS Socrates Scholars three times.
He was elected to “Who’s Who Among American Teachers” three times, and has been nominated Distinguished Educator of the Year, six times, by Sam Houston State University.
In 2011, he received the Wallace Beasley Award from the Texas Police Association “for Excellence and Dedication to the Law Enforcement Community.”
In 2003, Brother Cherry, and Mr. Dwayne Barber, Criminal Justice Chair at Grayson College, created the Annual Crime Scene Competition which offers students from several area high schools the opportunity to test their skills and knowledge in Forensic Science.
In 2004, Brother Cherry co-coordinated the first Annual Law Enforcement Forensic Conference, with over 70 officers in attendance. In April of this year more than 100 officers attended the 11th annual conference.
During his education career, Brother Cherry estimates he has worked with approximately 1,400 students – many of whom have entered the field of law enforcement.
