Deputy Matt Gardner of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office was recognized as Indiana’s Top Drug Recognition Expert for 2025, according to a June 3 announcement. The award was presented during the Indiana Traffic Safety Conference in Bloomington.
Drug Recognition Experts are law enforcement officers trained to identify and evaluate drivers suspected of being impaired by drugs. These experts assist agencies in detecting impairment and help remove impaired drivers from Indiana roadways.
The Indiana Drug Recognition Expert Awards Program, established by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute in 2016, honors outstanding DREs across the state each year for their dedication to impaired driving enforcement, training, and public safety.
Gardner earned the Top DRE award after conducting 81 evaluations during 2025, including 66 related directly to enforcement actions. His work has contributed significantly to impaired driving investigations and roadway safety throughout Vanderburgh County and beyond. In addition to his enforcement duties, Gardner serves as both a Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Instructor and a Drug Recognition Expert Instructor, training law enforcement officers from agencies across Indiana on detection techniques and indicators of drug impairment.
“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,” said Sheriff Noah Robinson.
The award was presented by Sgt. Zac Crabtree—the previous year’s recipient—and Marshal Depew of Columbia City Police Department.
