SAN DIEGO — Former Liberty resident and member of the United States Coast Guard Erin Kinne, daughter of Village of Liberty Police Chief Scott Kinne and Debbie Kinne, was recently honored for outstanding service to her country.

“I am pleased to announce the Coast Guard recipient of the Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE) Awards. These awards are sponsored by the WIFLE Foundation, a not-for-profit organization working to promote the value that women bring to law enforcement. The Outstanding Federal Law Enforcement Employee Award recognizes an individual who sustains a superior level of performance and serves as a role model for women in law enforcement,” said Rear Admiral Scott W. Clendenin, Assistant Commandant for Response Policy.

The Outstanding Federal Law Enforcement Employee Award goes to ME3 Erin K. Kinne, CG TACLET Pacific. ME3 Kinne proudly serves as a Tactical Operator (TO) for Law Enforcement Detachment 104. Despite serving at a junior paygrade within the Deployable Specialized Forces, ME3 Kinne quickly built a reputation for exceptional and unrelenting persistence, and in doing so, she has become the law enforcement role model for Coast Guard women.

While assigned to TACLET Pacific, ME3 Kinne distinguished herself by attaining multiple law enforcement qualifications, to include TO with the Notice Maritime Response (Unannounced Nighttime Boarding) capability, Boarding Officer and Emergency Medical Technician Basic with Tactical Combat Casualty Care.

“ME3 Kinne's outstanding achievements include the interdiction of 11,787 kilos of cocaine, 646 gallons of liquid/gel cocaine and 400 pounds of marijuana; all totaling over $400 million dollars street value,” Clendenin said. “ME3 Kinne also detained, cared for and processed 79 suspected smugglers while conducting counter-narcotic operations.

Demonstrating sustained superior operational impact, ME3 Kinne quickly established herself as an expert in detecting smuggling techniques, to include liquid cocaine.

On the USCGC FORWARD, she conducted the service's first-ever gel cocaine detection and seizure, resulting in the seizure of 600 gallons worth of drugs and subsequently participated in a case study on gel cocaine detection and handling.

According to U.S. Coast Guard spokespersons, this case study is now used to train other service members in liquid/gel cocaine detection at the Maritime Law Enforcement Academy.

During her deployment on the USCGC JAMES, Kinne stepped in as the Cutter's lead medical technician after the unit Corpsman was medically evacuated (MEDEVAC).

In this capacity, ME3 Kinne managed the sickbay, treated the crew for sickness and injuries, facilitated a MEDEVAC and conducted medical training for the crew.

In addition to the Women in Federal Law Enforcement award, Kinne was also honored with the Douglas A. Munro Inspirational Leadership Award from U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Karl Schultz

While serving on a 90-day deployment onboard USCGC THETIS, ME3 Kinne served as a Lead Boarding Officer and spearheaded all planning, logistical preparation and mission execution of the deployment.

As a result of her determination and resounding leadership, the team seized 4,199 kilos of cocaine. Exhibiting selfless service to others, ME3 Kinne was a key member of the Female Engagement Team events in Los Angeles and San Diego; an effort to help recruit more bright and capable women into the Coast Guard.

She also volunteered her free time within the San Diego community by helping build houses at Habitat for Humanity and delivering meals to elderly through Meals on Wheels.

“I applaud the courageous and superior efforts of ME3 Kinne,” Clendenin said. “She brought great credit upon the Coast Guard through her law enforcement actions. Bravo Zulu!”