Officer Dennis Amerantes received the ENRIQUE CAMARENA AWARD on September 11, 2014 for his work with the youth of Warwick in an effort to keep children drug-free. Officer Amerantes, a 27 year veteran of the Warwick Police Department, has been the School Resource Officer at Pilgrim High School for the past 10 years. Officer Amerantes stated he is proud to receive this award on behalf of the Warwick Police Department.

Enrique Camarena was an 11 year veteran agent of the DEA.  Agent Camarena was kidnapped and murdered in Mexico in 1985. This award is presented by the BPO Elks Lodge to a person in law enforcement who best exemplifies the qualities and principles for which Agent Camarena gave his life. His death inspired  millions of Americans to lead drug-free lives.

October is traditionally a Red Ribbon month, a time when people wear red ribbons to commemorate Agent Camarena's ultimate sacrifice. The millions of Americans who wear these ribbons visibly take a stand that they are opposed to illicit drug use and commemorate all of those who have tragically been affected by the results of drug use and abuse.