When it comes to traffic enforcement, the Muscogee County Marshal’s Office is No. 1.

Members of public safety and elected officials honored the marshal’s office Monday for winning first place in the International Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Challenge. The 23-person office competed with 530 agencies to get the award, said Marshal Greg Countryman.

“This is not just a victory for the marshal’s office,” Countryman said. “This is a victory for all of us.”

The marshal’s office works with other local law enforcement agencies and conducts DUI and seat belt checks. It compiled those actions into a document and submitted it to the organization for judging.

Last year, the marshal’s office took second place. Countryman said on Monday that it will be even more difficult to place next year.

“This is about traffic enforcement and saving lives, and that’s what we’re going to do,” Countryman said.

The marshal pointed to Capt. Curtis Lockette as playing an important role in his office’s traffic safety program. Lockette said deputy marshals protect the people they serve, sometimes from themselves.

“If a mother says, ‘I’m not going to buckle you up because I don’t believe in the seat belt law,’ what choice do (the children) have?” Lockette said. “Who ultimately won in this thing? You did.”

The award will be presented in Denver this October.