A Tempe police officer, who was recently honored for his exceptional work in DUI prevention, found himself on the other side of the law when he was arrested early Wednesday for allegedly driving under the influence. Zachary Hyde, recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for his efforts, was taken into custody after a state trooper observed him driving significantly below the speed limit, ABC 15 reported.

Court documents reveal that Hyde was driving at approximately 10 miles per hour in a 35-mile-per-hour zone when he was stopped. The Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesperson stated that troopers had sufficient reason to suspect Hyde was impaired, leading to his arrest.

The Tempe Police Department expressed serious concern over the arrest in a statement: “Any time a criminal investigation is brought to our attention about one of our officers, we take the matter very seriously.” Hyde has been placed on administrative leave, pending further investigation. He was off-duty during the incident.

Hyde’s arrest comes just over a month after he and Officer Gavin Young received the Hero Award at the 35th annual MADD Law Enforcement Recognition Banquet on June 30. The award recognized their efforts to prevent DUI incidents and promote road safety in Arizona.

The executive director of MADD has been notified about the situation. Hyde’s arrest raises important questions about the conduct of law enforcement officers and their adherence to the laws they are sworn to uphold.