Border Patrol Agent Receives Prestigious Award

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NAU Honors Sabri Dikman as Distinguished Citizen of the Year

Tucson, Ariz. – The “Dr. Cliff Harkins Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award” was presented to current Branch Chief of Operations for the Joint Field Command-Arizona during a ceremony at the NAU Homecoming football game held at the Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff on October 22.

Sabri Dikman was honored by the Northern Arizona University Alumni Association for his “exemplary service to community and strong leadership” for his tenure as deputy patrol agent in charge of the Nogales Station throughout 2010.

 “I am truly honored to be named the 2011 recipient of the Cliff Harkins Distinguished Citizen of the Year award” said Dikman “This honor brings the hard work of the men and women of the Border Patrol especially those assigned to the Tucson Sector, and more specifically the Nogales Station, into the public light.”

The Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award was established in 2002 to recognize individuals working for nonprofit organizations; governmental assignments at the municipal, county, state or federal level; or other outstanding service as a citizen.

In June of 2010, Dikman assumed the role of interim Assistant Patrol Agent in Charge of the Nogales Station, the largest and one of the busiest stations in the United States. His interim status was made permanent in October 2010. Two months later, on Dec. 7, he was promoted to Acting Patrol Agent in Charge of the Nogales Station; a position he held until July 2011.

Dikman was nominated for the award by R. Alan Booth, then Branch Chief of Operations for Joint Field Command-Arizona. He said Dikman led his men and women through a tragic and challenging time shortly after taking charge when Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was murdered.

Booth wrote in his recommendation that Dikman ensured every resource was effectively applied to facilitate the investigation and bring the responsible parties to justice. At the same time, Dikman ensured his other employees received emotional support. “The hallmark of his leadership was demonstrated in the selfless way he lead his team through the worst possible circumstances any law enforcement family can encounter,” said Booth.

Under Dikman’s leadership, according to Booth’s recommendation, the Nogales Station significantly reduced illicit cross border traffic by acquiring much-needed additional resources, personnel and key technology. Through his leadership and vision, these resources were deployed to maximize efficiency and create an optimum enforcement posture.

Booth said he has been Dikman’s colleague for several years and has come to know him on and off duty. “Aside from working 12-hour days to secure the Nation’s border,” said Booth, “he also engaged the Nogales community by regularly meeting with a community advisory board, comprised of key stakeholders and influential residents, to ensure the best possible relationship between the Border Patrol and local residents.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.