Tulsa Detective Named Oklahoma Officer of the Year

Detective Paula Maker earned the statewide recognition for her dedicated work in the Tulsa Police Child Crisis Unit.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Tulsa Detective Named Oklahoma Officer of the Year

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Tulsa Police Detective Paula Maker received the 2026 Oklahoma Officer of the Year award during a ceremony in Oklahoma City. The honor recognizes her significant contributions to law enforcement, specifically her work investigating severe child abuse cases.

Why it matters

This award highlights the critical role of specialized investigators in managing complex and emotionally taxing cases involving child welfare. Detective Maker's recognition serves as a testament to the specialized expertise required to handle sensitive regional investigations.

Detective Maker beat 40 other nominees to secure the statewide honor. She is currently recognized for leading a complex torture and no-body homicide investigation over the past 18 months.

The players

Paula Maker

She is a detective for the Tulsa Police Department who works within the Child Crisis Unit and serves on the Peer-2-Peer team.

Gentner Drummond

He is the Attorney General of Oklahoma who presented the Officer of the Year award.

The details

Detective Maker, a 10-year veteran of the Tulsa Police Department, serves on the agency's Peer-2-Peer team and has mentored 6 newer detectives. Her award-winning tenure includes intensive work within the Child Crisis Unit, where she investigates homicides, sexual abuse, and severe neglect.

October 28, 2026: Paula Maker received the Oklahoma Officer of the Year award in Oklahoma City.

Legal Context

This award follows the established precedent of the Oklahoma Officer of the Year program to honor individual excellence among law enforcement statewide. The selection underscores the increasing emphasis on rewarding specialized investigative expertise in high-stakes child welfare cases.

The recognition of a local detective in the Child Crisis Unit reinforces the department's commitment to prioritizing child safety investigations for Tulsa residents. This high level of specialization in the police force provides the community with increased investigative expertise for complex criminal matters.

The takeaway

Detective Maker's recognition demonstrates the vital importance of mentorship and peer support systems within modern policing agencies. Her career serves as an example of how long-term dedication to specialized units can significantly improve outcomes in sensitive investigations.