Arkansas State Police Honored for Protecting Children

The Arkansas State Police are honoring and celebrating three investigators who have been recognized for their work protecting some of the state’s most vulnerable...children.

Sergeant Matt Foster, Special Agent Heath Gurley, and Special Agent Dustin Thompson, all members of the Criminal Investigation Division’s Human Trafficking Unit, have been named recipients of the 2026 Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award. The honor was presented during the annual Child Protection Luncheon in Little Rock.

Honoring Those Who Stand Up for Children in Arkansas

The award is presented each year by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas, which works with child advocacy centers statewide to support children who have experienced abuse or neglect.

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Through its network, the organization helps coordinate care and investigations by bringing together law enforcement, child protective services, medical teams, prosecutors, and victim advocates to ensure children receive the support they need.

Dedicated to Combating Human Trafficking in Arkansas

Foster, Gurley, and Thompson are also members of the Arkansas Human Trafficking Task Force, where they focus on identifying and investigating trafficking cases while working closely with agencies at every level.

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Their work often involves complex investigations and close coordination with partners, all while keeping the needs of victims, especially the children, at the center of each case.

Colonel Mike Hagar, Director of the Arkansas State Police, said in a press release,

Protecting children is at the heart of our mission. Sergeant Foster, Special Agent Gurley, and Special Agent Thompson exemplify the professionalism, compassion, and determination required to confront human trafficking and bring offenders to justice. The Arkansas State Police is grateful to the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas for recognizing their outstanding service.

 

Making Communities Safer in Arkansas

The Human Trafficking Unit handles both proactive and reactive cases involving the exploitation of children and adults, with a strong focus on locating victims and building cases that hold offenders accountable.

Officials say the work of these three investigators is making a difference, helping protect children and strengthen communities across Arkansas.