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Scott Rouse always wanted to help people in his hometown.

Working in law enforcement puts Rouse in perfect position to help his hometown of Selma.

A Narcotics Investigator for the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, is honored by Selma and Dallas County residents. He was named Best Law Enforcement Officer in The Selma Times-Journal’s Best of Contest for 2021.

“I’m grateful for the award, but I don’t do it for applause,” Rouse said. “I’m just glad people appreciate law enforcement officers.”

This is not the first time Rouse received accolades. He was The Selma Times-Journal’s First Responder of the week on August 3, 2018.

Rouse insists he’s not the only law enforcement officer in the area doing outstanding work in the community.

“I’m not the only one out there doing a great job,” Rouse said.

Rouse always dreamed of working in law enforcement. After serving a stint in the National Guard, his journey began at the Selma Police Department in 2014. At the time, John Brock was the Selma Police Chief and George Evans was Selma Mayor.

Rouse left the SPD and worked briefly in the DCSO. Harris Huffman was the Dallas County Sheriff at the time and Kim Ballard served as the Dallas County Probate Judge.

Six months later, Rouse returned to the SPD and became a K-9 Unit officer, Rouse worked with his partner, two-year-old Dutch Sheppard K-9 officer Arak.

“I was patrol first, and I was a K-9 officer,’’ Rouse said.

During that time at the SPD, Rouse had a K-9 training business and trained police dogs. Rouse doesn’t work K-9 anymore but he enjoyed the experience and said Arak fit in perfectly with the other dogs.

Rouse left the SPD and worked briefly in the DCSO. Harris Huffman was the Dallas County Sheriff at the time and Kim Ballard served as the Dallas County Probate Judge.

Six months later, Rouse returned to the SPD and became a K-9 Unit officer, Rouse worked with his partner, two-year-old Dutch Sheppard K-9 officer Arak.

“I was patrol first, and I was a K-9 officer,’’ Rouse said.

During that time at the SPD, Rouse had a K-9 training business and trained police dogs. Rouse doesn’t work K-9 anymore but he enjoyed the experience and said Arak fit in perfectly with the other dogs.

“It was great and I loved it,” Rouse said. “It was a lot of work.”

In 2018, Rouse returned to the DCSO and eventually moved into the Narcotics Division. Mike Granthum is now Dallas County Sheriff and Jimmy Nunn as the Dallas County Probate Judge. Rouse said he’s noticed a different area at the DCSO.

“I like the leadership and work environment at the Dallas County Sheriff Office,” Rouse said. “It’s a whole lot different when I first worked there.”

Granthum said he’s impressed with the work ethic and unselfishness of Rouse.

“He’s very dedicated and always willing to help,” Granthum said. “Rouse is very eager to learn, gives 100 percent every day and comes to work with a great attitude.”

Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson said Rouse has a stellar resume.

“Scott Rouse has had a long and distinguished career as a police officer and code enforcement officer,” Jackson said. “He has a lot to be proud of.”

Rouse said he sees both sides of law enforcement.

“We arrest people and put them in jail, but they don’t stay in jail forever,” Rouse said. “People get out of jail and some of them turn their lives around and make a difference in the community.”

Rouse said he enjoys helping improve conditions in the community.

“I love making a difference in the community,” Rouse said. “I just want the community safe and to come back like it was when I grew up here.”

Married with two children, Rouse enjoys family time and hanging with friends, many of whom work in the DCSO.

“I like to hunt and fish with my wife and kids,” Rouse said. “A lot of my friends are my co-workers.”

Rouse is a well-respected law enforcement officer by his peers. He plans to work in law enforcement for a long time.