The resounding message at the Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers 23rd Annual Awards & Recognition Banquet held at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center Thursday evening was that Vance County has many positive aspects.
“Stay positive and stay above the negativity. This community is tremendous,” commented Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow.
Vance County Sheriff Peter White agreed with Barrow, “When you are out and about and you hear people talking negative, don’t agree with that stuff. Crime is on the downward trend and has been for several years.”
Lt. Governor Dan Forest addresses the crowd at the Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers 23rd Annual Awards & Recognition Banquet held at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center on Thursday, September 20, 2018.
White, who was attending his last Crime Stoppers banquet as Sheriff, said he is proud to call Vance County home. “I’m not satisfied [with crime levels] but I feel better. I’m not leaving and I’m not moving. This is our community and this is our home and it’s not going to get any better unless we all pitch in.”
Special guest for the evening, Lt. Governor Dan Forest, addressed the numerous first responders in attendance by praising the work they do in the face of dangerous, and often times underappreciated, circumstances. “There is a certain call on your life to go into harm’s way when no one else wants to. First responders run in because that’s what they do. There is something special about that.”
Forest further explained that events such as 9/11 and the recent destruction of Hurricane Florence prove that first responders are the real heroes of society. “You’re always going to do the right thing no matter what the cost is – not politicians, not Hollywood, not professional sports; you are the heroes.”
Forest’s remarks were followed by the award presentation segment of the banquet and included:
Community Watch Award – presented by Nowell Brooks to Kittrell Community Watch
Local Citizen Award – presented by Pastor Abidan Shah to Lee Anne Peoples
Public Service Award – presented by Frankie Nobles to Jamie Elliott
Public Service Award – presented by Tonya Moore to Randolph Wilson
Corporate Award – presented by Danny Wright to Maria Parham Health
Business Award – present by Clarence Hicks to Golden Corral
Board Member of the Year Award – presented by Lorraine Watkins, vice president of Crime Stoppers, to Edward Woodlief
Following this presentation, four Crime Stoppers Law Enforcement Awards were given to individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to protecting and serving the community.
Officer Joshua Justice is shown with his Sam Pearson Memorial Award as presented by Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow. Barrow described Justice as showing “true dedication” and being among the best the Henderson Police Department has to offer.
The Sam Pearson Memorial Award was presented by Chief Barrow to Officer Joshua Justice. Barrow described Justice as showing “true dedication” and being among the best the Henderson Police Department has to offer.
Barrow described a recent traffic stop involving Justice on Roanoke Avenue in Henderson involving a suspect who tossed a gun in a pond.
“That night, [Justice] took off his shoes and climbed in the water in uniform to try to find the gun. He didn’t find it that night but went back on his own time with a couple of officers the next day, climbed back in the murky water and found the gun. That’s the type of officers we have at the Henderson Police Department,” said Barrow.
Barrow went on to detail Justice’s accomplishments while on the force including 120 arrests, seizure of 12 firearms, 400 grams of marijuana, 1200 dose units of heroin and interruptions of robberies in progress.
The next award, the Tom Long Memorial Award, was presented by White to Lt. of Investigations John Christopher Shelton. “If [Shelton] gets a clue, somebody is going to get arrested. He will track them and somebody is going to have a bad day,” White said.
The N.C. State Highway Patrol Award was presented by Sgt. Jeff Rowan to the 2018 Trooper of the Year Joseph Thomas.
The Vance County Animal Services Award was present by Chief Frankie Nobles to shelter assistant Ellen Wilkerson. “This lady comes to our shelter 3 – 4 times a week and files every report and every piece of paper we have. This allows our small staff to be out working,” Nobles said.
Music for the banquet was provided by Nelson Woodhouse; catering by Ted Wheeler’s Catering Service.