Dennie Peterson, a Lawrence Journal-World carrier who helped a Franklin County sheriff’s officer apprehend a suspect, has been named a 2006 Carrier of the Year by the Midwest Circulation Management Association.

Peterson, of Baldwin City, hopped out of his car at 2:30 a.m. Aug. 20, when he saw the officer and the suspect locked in a tussle on the side of Riley Road near U.S. Highway 59.

Peterson ran from 50 feet away and tackled the suspect. He and the officer tried to hold the suspect down. It eventually took two more officers to arrive and arrest the suspect.

The suspect, who was stopped for speeding, was later charged with aggravated battery, battery of an officer and felony obstruction, among other charges.

As a Carrier of the Year, Peterson will receive a plaque, letter of recognition and a $100 Visa gift card from MCMA.

He also will be considered for the Newspaper Association of America’s Carrier of the Year Award. Winners of the NAA award are honored at the 2007 NAA Marketing conference in Las Vegas.