BONNEVILLE COUNTY, Idaho — A Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office detective has been recognized at the federal level for his long-running work protecting children from exploitation across Idaho.
Detective Korey Payne received the Idaho Hometown Hero Award, a distinction tied to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Freedom 250 initiative, which was launched to mark the approaching 250th anniversary of American independence. U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced the honor Wednesday.
Decades of Child Protection Work
Payne has accumulated nearly two decades of law enforcement experience, much of it focused on some of the most serious crimes committed against children. He is assigned to Idaho’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, a specialized unit dedicated to identifying and pursuing offenders who use digital means to exploit minors.
Over the course of his career, Payne has led or played a significant role in hundreds of investigations, efforts that have resulted in the identification and criminal prosecution of child exploitation offenders throughout the state.
What Comes Next
The Hometown Hero Award shines a spotlight on law enforcement professionals whose work often unfolds out of public view. For Detective Payne and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the work continues — child exploitation investigations remain an ongoing priority for both state and federal authorities in Idaho. Residents seeking more information on the DOJ’s Freedom 250 initiative can visit justice.gov.
For more on Idaho public safety and law enforcement news, visit idahonews.co.