For Release: Immediate  Date: February 7, 2001

Renee Hoffman Public Affairs Director Phone:(919) 733-5027 (ext. 231)

RALEIGH - Two members of the Highway Patrol and the Patrol's medical director were presented awards at a ceremony in Raleigh today honoring their actions and contributions to the Patrol in the year 2000. It was the first time these particular awards were given. The awards were the Samaritan Award, the Meritorious Service Award and the Humanitarian Award. Colonel Richard W. Holden presented the awards during graduation ceremonies for the 103rd Basic Patrol Academy.

The Samaritan Award is given to a member who participated in a randomly unique event of an exceptional nature to save the life of another. It was presented to Trooper D.T. Tarleton, Troop F-District IV in Alexander County. While on patrol January 27, 2000, Tarleton heard a police radio broadcast about a search for child missing while out playing with his dog. There was snow on the ground and daylight was fading. Tarleton saw three dogs come out of and then back into the woods along U-S 64. On a hunch, Tarleton followed the dogs and began to hear a child screaming. He followed the sounds until he found the boy, who was waist deep in snow and had no shoes on. The trooper carried the boy to his patrol car and then to a waiting ambulance, where he was taken to a local hospital and treated for hypothermia. Doctors said had the child not been rescued when he was, he would probably have become unconscious and died.

The Meritorious Service Award is given to a member or group who has served the Patrol, the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety or the state in general, in an outstanding manner. It was presented to Dr. Thomas Griggs, the Patrol's medical director since 1994. When he was first appointed, Dr. Griggs primary duty was to perform physicals and review troopers for return to duty following injuries. However, Dr. Griggs expanded the medical office responsibilities to include: a smoking cessation program that has lowered the number of employees who smoke to 10%, an all time low; an annual screening program for employees with high cholesterol levels, diabetes, and coronary artery disease; the establishment of the Members Assistance Team (MAT) to provide peer and professional support for members and their families involved in critical stress incidents; and a "Fit for Life" program that in cooperation with the Patrol dietitian has established a healthy weight loss program.

The Humanitarian Award is given to a member for outstanding volunteer public service that significantly contributes to individuals, organizations, or communities in North Carolina. It was awarded to Line Sergeant C.R. Lee, Troop C-District VII in Durham County. On April 16, 2000, a Trooper stopped to assist a stranded motorist. He discovered an 83-year old woman from Tennessee who was suffering from Alzheimer's. She had gone out to run an errand and thought she was still in Tennessee when she ran out of gas in Durham. The Trooper contacted his supervisor, Sgt. Lee, who arranged for the woman and her car to be taken to the Durham Patrol office where it was filled with gas and he began trying to figure out how to get her home. He contacted the woman's daughter and they discussed several options. He even offered to allow the woman to stay at his home for the night, but she wanted to go back to Tennessee. Finally, Sgt. Lee got off duty at 11:00 p.m. and drove the woman in her car to a pre-arranged meeting place in McDowell County to meet her daughter. Lee was then relayed back to Durham, where he arrived at the Patrol office at 6:30 a.m.

"These men represent what service is all about," said Col. Holden. "They set examples for other officers to follow in their unselfish devotion to helping people."

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