State Troopers to Receive Departmental Awards During Ceremony in Greenville

 

GREENVILLE-Rueben F. Young, Secretary of the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety (CCPS), and Colonel Randy Glover, Commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, will present Troopers W. K. Bennett and J. N. Wood with awards from the department and the Highway Patrol in a ceremony today at 1 p.m.

 “Each of these employees is to be commended on their actions and contributions to the citizens of the state of North Carolina and to our department,” said Young.

Recipient and Award:

· Trooper W. K. Bennett - will receive the CCPS Commendation Award and Highway Patrol Samaritan Award. Trooper Bennett responded and rendered life saving first aid to Lenoir County deputies; Allen Pearson and Ryan Dawson, who had been struck during an exchange of gunfire with a suspect wanted by law enforcement officers.

· Trooper J. N. Wood - will receive CCPS Commendation Award and Highway Patrol Samaritan Award. Trooper Wood observed a driver operating his vehicle recklessly on US 17. Trooper Wood was able to stop the driver and determined that the driver was suffering from a medical episode. Trooper Wood was able to administer sugar to the driver which ultimately saved his life.

 “Each Trooper went beyond the normal call of duty, and demonstrated outstanding judgment,” said Col. Glover. “This level of service exemplifies what it means to be a state employee - to serve others.”

The Commendation Award is CCPS's second highest award for heroism and is given only to those who have demonstrated judgment and courage that saved others. The Samaritan Award is given an award bestowed to a member of the Patrol who went beyond the call of duty to aid or assist a fellow citizen.