An Allegheny County deputy sheriff was named Crime Prevention Officer of the Year by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

Deputy Jason Tarap received the inaugural award Tuesday at the annual Crime Prevention conference in Grantville, Dauphin County.

An 11-year veteran of the sheriff's office as a crime prevention officer, Deputy Tarap has been responsible for a variety of initiatives. He is co-director of Camp Cadet, a weeklong law enforcement camp for children. In addition, Deputy Tarap has set up more than 30 crime watch groups in the county and is responsible for holiday season gift drives for children and the infirm.