COLUMBIA, SC -- The men and woman in uniform around the Palmetto State were honored for cracking down on DUI.

The state Department of Public Safety hosted its 7th annual DUI Enforcement Recognition Ceremony Tuesday morning. Officers and agencies from all over South Carolina attended the event, which recognizes their efforts in 2011 to enforce its laws and get impaired drivers off the roads.

Awards were given out in several categories including Officer of the Year, Highway Patrol Trooper of the Year, and Agency of the Year. The awards are based on the amount of DUI arrests.

The Kershaw County Sheriff's Office won Agency of The Year for an agency of 51-100 officers with 69 DUI arrests.

Senior Patrol Officer Riley Null with the Irmo Police Department won Officer of the year for an agency with 11-25 officers with 66 DUI arrests.

South Carolina ranked No. 1 in DUI related fatalities last year with 44 percent.

State Department of Public Safety Director Leroy Smith said its a way to say thank you and to keep morale high.

"The many sacrifices that our uniformed officers make day in and day out, and year in and year out cannot be overstated. All of our loved ones are out there on the highways traveling. And there is nothing more that we would like to do than to recognize the men and women who put their lives on the line."

The department also gave away four brand new Dodge Chargers to various departments by drawings.

The Columbia Police Department and the Elgin Police Department, along with eight other departments, were awarded a digital in-car video system.

In addition, nominated officers were recognized as DUI Heroes and will receive pins in bronze, siler or gold to honor their DUI arrest accomplishments in 2011.