For Release: Immediate  Date: September 20, 2001

Sara J. Kempin, APR Phone:(919) 733-5027 (ext. 233)

RALEIGH-Benson resident Jimmie Turbeville today received the North Carolina Department of Crime Control & Public Safety's (CC&PS) second-highest achievement award. Bryan Beatty, CC&PS secretary, presented the Department's Meritorious Service Award at a ceremony in Raleigh. Turbeville is a Line Sergeant with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, which is one of ten divisions in CC&PS.

"Sgt. Turbeville and his family opened their home to a stranded traveler from England and insured that this lady got home safely to her family," said Beatty. "He went well beyond the usual high standard of service expected of North Carolina State Troopers."

The Highway Patrol received an e-mail message from a man in England asking if it could assist his girlfriend who was stranded in Wallace, N.C., with only $20 in her pocket. She needed to get to Atlanta the next day in order to catch her flight home. Sgt. Turbeville could find no relief agencies in Duplin County that were equipped to help her. Therefore, he picked her up, took her to his family's home, and he and his family provided her with a bus ticket and an additional $100 to cover food and other expenses on the trip home.

"Sgt. Turbeville went above and beyond the normal call of duty on this occasion, and extended his hand to serve another in need. This level of service exemplifies what it means to be a State Trooper-to serve others," said Colonel Richard Holden, Highway Patrol Commander.

The Meritorious Service Award is CC&PS's second-highest award for achievement. It is presented to individuals who clearly demonstrate outstanding service to their profession in the areas of devotion to duty, innovation, public service and/or human relations. Employees are nominated to receive Department Awards by fellow employees. All nominations are reviewed by a committee consisting of representatives of each of the Department's Divisions, and then approved by the Secretary.