Front row from left: Graham Woodlief, Tyler Coleman, Victor Ward, Britt Sams, Adam Pegram, Josh Southerland, Chad Olds, Bryce Fleming; Back row from left: John Pecora, Tony Pendergrass, Steve Cordell, Peter White, Charles Hearn, Chris Wright, Darby Guy, Frankie Nobles, Tommy Farmer

Tuesday night at 6:00, the Henderson Optimist Club met at the Henderson Country Club and held it’s annual Respect for Law program.

Henderson Police Captain Tony Pendergrass presented the Officer of the Year award to Sgt. Graham Woodlief.  Pendergrass said, “Since January of 2018, through numerous arrest and search warrants, Sgt. Woodlief has seized $28,961 in cash, 10.8 pounds of marijuana, 12,744 dosage units of heroin, 194.7 grams of cocaine, 50.5 illegal pills and 16 firearms.”  Woodlief said, “It was a collective effort,” and praised his fellow officers and co-workers.

Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell presented the Henderson Firefighter of the Year award to Senior Firefighter Tyler Coleman.  Cordell said the city was lucky to have Coleman.  Cordell said every time he’s seen Coleman in recent years he’s either doing his job or headed to class.  Cordell said Coleman had learned a lot and earned his certifications and he’d very graciously shared what he’d learned with his peers.

Vance County Sheriff Peter White awarded court bailiff Victor Ward with Deputy of the Year honors.  White said rarely are law enforcement officers thanked like what the Optimist Club does, and he said, “A simple thank you goes a long ways.”  Ward said something White told him had really stuck with him and helped him, and that was to “‘Be kind and be kind and be kind until you can’t be kind anymore.”‘

Vance County Fire Chief Chris Wright spoke passionately about Adam Pegram, the Vance County Firefighter of the Year.  He said Pegram puts his family first and that was something he looked for in firefighters.  Wright said, “My guys have worked together.”  No one said it at the meeting, but firefighters usually do stick together like a family, and they surely have to in the many dangerous circumstances they face.  Fire Captain Adam Pegram, who got his start as a young man in the Cokesbury Volunteer Fire Department, said to the audience, “Y’all are my family.  Without y’all, there is no me.”

The North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper of the Year is Josh Southerland.  Sgt. Darby Guy said Southerland had removed 128 drunks from the road last year.  Southerland was also the recent recipient of a Mothers Against Drunk Drivers award and became the proud driver of the first stealth patrol cruiser.  Southerland said, “Our leadership and coworkers keep us motivated.”

“The Singing Animal Control Officer,” Chad Olds received the Vance County Animal Control Officer of the Year award from Chief Frankie Nobles.  Olds is the officer seen recently on Facebook singing to animals at the Vance County Animal Shelter.  It’s been viewed more than 15 million times.  Nobles said Olds is there “no matter what, when, how long.  I’ve got a good team.”  Olds spoke of brotherhood, community and family.  He said he understood those things now better than ever.  “Frankie is a good teacher,” he said.

Optimist Tommy Farmer introduced Bryce Fleming as the Kerr Lake Park Ranger of the Year.  Fleming is park superintendent at the Kerr Lake State Recreation Area.  Farmer introduced Fleming as the caretaker of a major resource in our area, and one that attracts a tremendous number of visitors.  Fleming thanked the already mentioned officers and departments for all they do.  He said, “A park ranger blends a lot of what you do.  Everyone of you has helped us, and we thank you.”

Musical entertainment was provided before the presentations by J and J including Jimmy Barrier on bass and vocals, Keith Aiken on the dobro, Mike Watkins and Roger Knox on guitar and Curtis Tyndal on Bass.  Mr. Jerry Delbridge also sang and presented a most lovely poem, from memory, about God forming man.

(My thanks to the Henderson Optimist Club and President Britt Sams for an excellent meal and a good program and fellowship. – JCR)