A salute to our local
Heroes The Daily Dispatch Friday, December 23, 2011
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The Daily DispaTch
a saluTe
heroes
To
FriDay, December 23, 2011
North Carolina Highway Patrol: Remembering to always ‘BREATHE’ There is an acronym that 1st Sgt. R. P. Hargrove is frequently reminded of by his Captain: BREATHE — “Be Responsible, Ethical, Accountable, Trustworthy, Honorable, Everyday.” It is the guiding principle behind his Captain’s role as a law enforcement officer. Hargrove has taken it to heart. “You have to know it to live it,” said Hargrove. A patrolman for District C4 (encompassing the counties of Vance, Warren and Franklin), Hargrove has been with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for 23 years. He is scheduled to retire in February of 2013.
“I enjoy my time on the Highway Patrol,” said Hargrove. “But with 14 months, I’m happy that the journey is almost at the end.” Born in nearby Townsville, Hargrove grew up in Henderson, graduating from Vance Senior High School. He joined the U.S. Army, serving from 1983 to 1987 at Fort Dix in New Jersey. However, “I knew I was coming back to North Carolina,” he said. During that time though, he took particular interest in the N.J. State Patrol. “I had an opportunity to see them work,” he said, due to the proximity of the military base to the
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highway patrol’s base of operations. As it is for most, it took between 10 and 12 months for Hargrove to enter the field. Trainees must complete a vigorous written exam, followed by an equally difficult test of physical exertion, to become a patrolman. Hargrove began his career with District 3 (Wake County/Raleigh). After a promotion, he worked in Franklin County from 1992 to 2006. At this point, he was promoted to Sergeant. After duty stations in District 8 (Halifax) and District 7 (Durham), he achieved the rank of Line Sergeant, earning him three stripes.
Then, in February of this year he was promoted again, this time to 1st Sergeant, and was assigned to Troop A-District 4. At this point, he was responsible for four counties (Beaufort, along with Washington, Tyrell and Hyde). Finally, in autumn, Hargrove was transferred to Henderson’s District C4 headquarters.
Always vigilant As Hargrove explained it, locals frequently inform the Highway Patrol about locations where criminal activity is taking place. In addition, officers will often find complaint sheets in
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their mail boxes. However, for the most part, troopers know their areas very well and can tell you where to find the hot spots. In order to fight crime in the most effective manner, different shifts overlap one another. Furthermore, the schedules of any two officers on the same shift may overlap as well. This ensures that there are always troopers on patrol. “We’ll pull troopers from other counties to patrol while we have meetings,” said Hargrove. In addition, there are three squads. At any one time, two of those squads are always on duty.
Heroism The N.C. Highway Patrol constantly pursues the following goals: ensuring safe travel and transportation along the highways of the state; implementing conventional and innovative methods to encourage safety; enforcing laws, through education (speaking), as well as patrolling; and forming mutually beneficial partnerships with other organizations. “We have so many guys who do so many good things,” said Hargrove. “I would like to think that I made a positive impact.” “But I wouldn’t consider please see paTROL, pagE 9
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The Daily DispaTch
a saluTe
To
heroes
FriDay, December 23, 2011
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Above: First Sergeant R.P. Hargrove, Sergeant W.C. Johnson, Trooper T.L. Hunt, Trooper J.C. Faulk, Trooper D.R. Simmons, Trooper D.S. Smith, Sergeant J.R. Creech, and Sergeant C.G. Taylor. Below: Trooper B.D. Vick, Trooper P.L. Clayton, Trooper C.I. Hundley, B.E. Pulliam, Trooper J.K. Aiken, Trooper J.A. Thomas, and Trooper B.S. Gardner. (Note pictured) Trooper B.C. Edwards, Trooper C.M. Garner, Trooper J.B. Montgomery, Trooper B. A. Moseley, and Trooper P.L. Settles.
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The Daily Dispatch
A Salute
to
Heroes
Friday, December 23, 2011
The Henderson Police Dept.: built upon a sound structure In January of 2007, the Henderson Police Department was restructured; the department can now be broken down into three divisions: • The Operations Division — this division includes the uniform patrol division, consisting of four zone commanders. The department utilizes the Quadrant/Zone concept. In 2009, with the assistance of E911 Director Brian Short, the city was redistricted from five districts to four. Maps were then redrawn to mirror voting wards. Each Zone Commander was then made personally responsible for his/her zone and has one officer from every shift assigned to that geographic area 24 hours a day/seven days a week. Communication and planning are conducted person-to-person, by telephone or by written communication. Each Zone Commander is responsible for planning and directing patrol functions throughout the city, as well as their own individual zones. Of-
ten, with the assistance of specialized units, as well as the office of crime analysis, patrol functions are directed to hot-spot areas. The Operations Division is responsible for ensuring the proper utilization of K9, SWAT, Power Shift, Bicycle Patrol, Reserve Officers and the Highway Traffic Safety Unit. Shifts generally run in 12-hour increments. However, shift commanders have the autonomy to regulate and adjust the hours of their employees to fit particular missions. • The Services Division — This division is responsible for hiring, training, fiscal overall management of resources, crime prevention, accreditation, counter act/school resource officer, school crossing guards, Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) and the Office of Professional Standards-Internal Affairs. Under its command, the Henderson Police Dept. has been recognized as a “flagship agency” with the Commission of Accreditation on Law Enforcement.
For your service and self-sacrifice, we say
Thank You
This represents the “best of the best” in police practices across the United States. The Records Division and the Office of Crime Analysis assists all divisions within the department for strategic planning, hot spot mapping and identification of crime trends, as well as directed patrol. • The Special Operations Division is responsible for overall investigations, inclusive of Criminal Investigations Division and Narcotics. Criminal Investigations handles all major felonies, inclusive of all Part One Crimes. This encompasses everything from white collar crime to Homicide. Narcotics is responsible for all major drug investigations, gambling, alcohol, prostitution, and moral infractions.
Cooperative interaction The Henderson Police Department has a long history of working with the Carolina Highway Patrol in matters of traffic enforce-
ment, as well as special campaigns, such as “Booze it & Lose it” and “Click It or Ticket.” Investigations, as well as uniform patrol, work well with the Vance County Sheriff’s office. Information is shared frequently in regards to investigations and incidents that affect residential and business safety throughout the county. Agent Tony Mills with Alcohol Law Enforcement for the State of North Carolina has a strong partnership with the HPD and has assisted in numerous campaigns and investigations involving illegal activities ranging from gambling to alcohol related offenses.
The current chief Chief Keith Sidwell started his career in law enforcement in 1979 as a Military Police Officer in the U.S. Army. After an honorable discharge, he began his career as a police officer in Roanoke, Va., one that has spanned more than 25 years. He has worn many
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hats during that time: uniform patrol, motorcycle officer, detective, academy director, zone Sidwell commander, tactical team operator/commander, and interim patrol division commander. Retiring from his position in Roanoke, Va., in 2007, he applied and competed for the position of Chief of Police in Henderson. On Jan. 10, 2007, he was sworn in. “I searched openings throughout the eastern U.S. and found Henderson to be a place of similar characteristics associated with what I have policed my whole life,” Sidwell said. “The City of Henderson has some
great people that live here. Henderson is strategically located within close proximity to Raleigh, the Virginia state line, Kerr Lake and Interstate 85. The potential for growth and success is huge here if it can be marketed in the right way.”
An officer’s view of the word When asked about his personal feelings, as well as those of his fellow officers, toward being referred to as “heroes,” Sidwell offered the following insights: “A true cop does not view the profession of police officer as a job. A cop realizes that this job is a vocation — Please see STRUCTURE, page 9
Thanks to All of Our Vance County Law Enforcement Officers! from
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The Daily DispaTch
a saluTe
To
heroes
FriDay, December 23, 2011
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The Henderson Police Dept. offers a periodic program called Medicine Drop. Locals may drop off medications that have expired in order to ensure that they are disposed of safely.
VIPS (Volunteers in Police Services) Blakley Bates does his part to keep both pedestrians and motorists safe.
The BAT mobile (Breath Alcohol Testing) sits at a DWI checkpoint.
Honoring our Hometown Heroes
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The Daily DispaTch
a saluTe
To
heroes
FriDay, December 23, 2011
An officer’s job is never done.
Thanks to the Vance County Law Enforcement Officers For Everything They Do!
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The Daily DispaTch
a saluTe
The Henderson Police Department cooperates with other law enforcement organizations, such as the Vance County Sheriff’s Department, whether they are fighting crime or participating in events like Cops on Top, a fundraiser for Special Olympics, held at Chick-fil-A.
SWAT Team members with the Henderson Police Department complete their work at a crime scene and prepare to leave.
To
heroes
Officer J. Quinn and Sgt. M. Overton of the HPD
FriDay, December 23, 2011
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The Daily Dispatch
A Salute
to
Heroes
Friday, December 23, 2011
HPD Officer P. Myers participates in ASP Baton training.
An officer takes fingerprints from a suspect during booking.
Lt. Marshall Perry of the HPD gives children tips on bicycle safety during a Bicycle Rodeo event conducted at Dabney Elementary School.
a saluTe
The Daily DispaTch
STRUCTURE, FROM PAGE FOUR
a calling, similar to that of a ministry. I can tell you that working with the men and women of Henderson Police Department is gratifying. Each officer dons a ballistic vest and puts on a uniform each and every day in hopes of making Henderson a safer, better place for everyone who lives, works and
plays here. We are charged with the safety of each and every citizen from infancy until death. Our officers do this each and every day without fail.” Even if an officer performs an extraordinary act of courage, “each man or woman that wears the badge would humbly look at you and say, ‘I’m just doing my job.’ These men and women do not do this job for the money, for the notoriety or the prestige of
the uniform. For every 30 people that apply, usually only one can make it all the way through the training and background checks. “Hero? Henderson Police Officers would grin at the word and think, ‘No, that is reserved for someone of greatness.’ If you asked Detective Alan Simmons and Officer Brian Simmons what a hero is, they would tell you in unison that it is their mother, Feraldine Simmons.
To
heroes
“If you ask me personally what a hero is, I would tell you that every officer that puts on a badge and continually does what is right to protect the freedoms and lives of the citizens they serve; these are the heroes. The men and women that work 24/7, in all conditions of weather, even in the face of adversity, still doing the right thing — these are the heroes.”
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PATROL,
FROM PAGE TWO
myself a hero,” he said. “I consider the people working the roads — I consider them heroes.” Hargrove recalled an
incident when someone stole some Christmas presents. He pointed toward the efforts put forth by the officers in pursuit of the suspect and the retrieval of those gifts. Hargrove reiterated: “It’s the people working the roads. They’re the real heroes.”
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The Daily Dispatch
A Salute
to
(From left) Det. J. Pironis, Officer C. Burell, Sgt. M. Overton, Det. A. Simmons and Det. M. Stewart
A SWAT Team member wears a gas mask to avoid the effects of chemical agents occasionally employed in the apprehension of criminals.
Det. J. Pironis on bike patrol
Heroes
Friday, December 23, 2011
The Daily DispaTch
a saluTe
To
heroes
FriDay, December 23, 2011
Coming in Heroes 2012:
Sheriff Peter White
Vance County Sheriff’s Department Thank You to all the
Lt. Marshall Perry of the HPD gives a child one-on-one attention during the Bicycle Rodeo event.
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Salute to all of the Vance County Law Enforcement!
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THANKS TO ALL RESCUE PERSONNEL MAY GOD BLESS & PROTECT YOU!
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