Local Police Officers Recognized By MADD For DWI Enforcement Efforts

JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. — Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) recognized two Johnston County law enforcement officers Friday, July 17, for their commitment to removing impaired drivers from local roadways and promoting traffic safety.

Selma Police Officer Holden Dayoub and Smithfield Police Officer Kipp Hawkins were honored for their proactive enforcement efforts targeting impaired drivers through regional partnerships and high-visibility enforcement initiatives.

According to Selma Police Chief Justin Vause, the recognition was prompted by the teamwork between officers participating in the Governor’s Highway Safety Program.

The recognition was prompted by the outstanding teamwork between the Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) officers from the Selma and Smithfield Police Departments, Chief Vause said.

Officer Dayoub and Officer Hawkins have worked closely together on DWI enforcement initiatives, traveling across the state to assist with saturation patrols, coordinating traffic safety events, and partnering with organizations such as MADD to promote impaired driving awareness and enforcement. These efforts have included numerous DWI checkpoints and high-visibility enforcement operations.

Dayoub joined the Selma Police Department on June 12, 2025, and, according to Vause, has made an immediate impact on both the department and the community.

Since joining the department, Dayoub has focused on proactive traffic safety enforcement. During the past month alone, Dayoub and Hawkins have removed more than 20 impaired drivers from area roadways and documented more than 50 aggravating factors associated with those arrests.

The officers also issued more than 200 traffic citations during the same period as part of their ongoing efforts to improve roadway safety and reduce dangerous driving behaviors.

“Every impaired driver removed from the road represents a potential tragedy prevented,” Chief Vause said. “Officer Dayoub and Officer Hawkins have shown an exceptional commitment to protecting the motoring public through countless hours of enforcement, education, and partnership. Their efforts have saved lives, and I could not be more proud to see them recognized by MADD for the important work they do every day.”

Smithfield Police Captain D.A. Tyndall also praised the officers’ collaborative efforts.

“Officer Hawkins and Selma Police Officer Dayoub’s commitment to impaired driving enforcement, traffic safety, and regional partnerships reflects the highest standards of professional law enforcement,” Tyndall said. “Working alongside Officer Dayoub of the Selma Police Department and numerous partner agencies, the two officers have helped remove impaired drivers from our roadways, making our communities safer for everyone.”

The recognition highlights the ongoing partnership between the Selma and Smithfield police departments, whose officers regularly work together on DWI checkpoints, saturation patrols and other traffic safety initiatives designed to reduce impaired driving.