Each year, CrimeStoppers honors local law enforcement at its annual awards luncheon. This year’s event was held on January 14, 2010 to present awards to its 2009 honorees. Among those honored was Prattville Police Department Investigator Ken Nesbit.

(From left to right) Captain Tim Huggins, Dawn Nesbit, Investigator Ken Nesbit, and Chief Alfred Wadsworth

Ken was hired by the Prattville Police Department in 2000 after serving five years in the United States Air Force. From the very beginning, Nesbit had a desire to learn as much as possible about law enforcement. He began his career in the Patrol Division, worked every shift, earning the rank of Corporal while on third shift.

Nesbit earned the opportunity to work as a Motor Officer in the Traffic Unit where he excelled at accident investigations. He moved from this position to work in the Investigations Division as a Narcotics Investigator. Ken investigated several drug dealers, successfully resulting in felony cases against these criminals, as well as managing his patrol cases. He has since been appointed first as a General Crimes Investigator and then to Youth Aid where he currently works crimes against, and those committed by, juveniles.

During his stint in Youth Aid, Nesbit has successfully worked his cases, which as you will see, is no small feat.

In 2009, just a few days after being assigned to the unit, Investigator Nesbit was assigned his first sexual abuse case against a juvenile. As disturbing as the case proved to be, Nesbit worked the case diligently in order to make an arrest on the suspect, a live in boyfriend of the victim’s grandmother. The suspect was indicted and is currently awaiting trial. Nesbit stated that this type of crime is the hardest to work because it affects innocent young children who cannot protect themselves.

One week after being assigned his first sexual abuse case, Nesbit acquired his second. During the investigation, Nesbit worked closely with Child Protect and the District Attorney’s Office of the 19th Judicial Circuit of Alabama. While interviewing the adult male suspect, Nesbit was able to get a confession to the offense of sexual abuse of a child under 12 years old. Nesbit felt the suspect had more to divulge. Through his perseverance and his keen ability to read the suspect, he was able to uncover six additional victims abused by this predator. As these offenses involved other jurisdictions, Nesbit followed through with the Montgomery Police Department to make contact with the other victims to get them the help they most assuredly required after what had been done to them. It was appalling what this man had done to his own family members as well as the children of family friends.

It is rare in sexual assault cases for an investigator to get a suspect to confess to their crimes. The suspect in the second case pled guilty and is currently incarcerated while awaiting sentencing.

“I am grateful to have been nominated for the award. Without the help of Child Protect, Autauga County DHR, and the ADAs from the District Attorney’s Office, I would not have had the tools to close this case. It does give me a good feeling that these victims were able to have some justice for the crimes committed against them,” said Investigator Ken Nesbit.

“Ken shows pride and professionalism in his job. We are very proud of him and the job he does. This honor will only enhance his dedication to law enforcement,” said Police Chief Alfred Wadsworth.

The City of Prattville applauds Investigator Ken Nesbit for his diligence, talents in interview and interrogation, and his passion in getting these criminals off our streets.

Child Protect is a Children’s Advocacy Center whose mission is to support children who are victims of abuse through the investigation and management of their cases in a non-threatening environment. For more information about Child Protect, please visit their website (www.childprotect.org).