A member of the Austin Police Department was honored with a state award recently.

Det. David McKichan, who is in charge of narcotics investigations for the APD and has been with the department overall for nearly 13 years, won an outstanding achievement award from the Minnesota State Association of Narcotics Investigators Thursday.

McKichan was one of two award recipients in the state.

In the four years since he took the role of lead drug investigator, McKichan has written more than 158 drug-related search warrants, the department reports. The last two years in particular have seen a high-level of drug-related law enforcement, as the department made 159 arrests stemming from narcotics cases, according to a study released by the APD in March.

In addition to taking steps to bust offenders, McKichan has worked to prevent drug abuse. He serves on the Austin Area Drug Taskforce, which recently started a prescription pill drop-box program that officials hope will slow down illegal use of medications.

Lt. Brian Krueger said the award was well deserved given McKichan’s hard work.

“It’s definitely a great honor,” Krueger said.