For what the Council of Metropolitan Police and Sheriffs (COMPAS) lauded as State Sen. Joe Fain’s “ongoing dedication to law enforcement officers statewide,” the organization named the freshman senator as its 2014 Legislator of the Year.

“We are grateful for Senator Fain’s unwavering concern for the well-being of the brave men and women who serve our communities,” said Renee Maher, executive director of COMPAS. “We believe that his work in the recent legislative session, as well as previous sessions, shows his continued, steadfast support for law enforcement officers in our state.”

COMPAS, a nonpartisan advocacy organization representing more than 2000 active officers in King County, speaks up for law enforcement interests in Olympia “to protect their rights and strengthen laws that keep officers, their families and communities safe.”

The organization cited Fain’s work in passing the state’s Blue Alert system in 2012, which established an Amber Alert-type communications network that interacts with the public, for instance, when somebody attacks officer and flees. COMPAS thanked Fain as well for his more recent work in maintaining access to medical assistance for catastrophically-injured retirees and keeping promised funding in place for a law enforcement pension system.

“Supporting the brave men and women who risk their own health and safety to protect our communities benefits all Washingtonians,” said Fain. “The recognition is appreciated, but it is more important to thank each and every one of them for their incredible service, which I’d invite all citizens to do when they have the opportunity.”