Crime Stoppers recognizes departments Officer of the Year
Nine departments across Davidson County selected their own Officer of the Year for 2021.
{Kassaundra Shanette Lockhart/Davidson Local}
Like many events, COVID-19 affected the structure of this year’s Lexington Area Crime Stoppers Officer of the Year ceremony. For the first time, the group decided to award nine law enforcement officers instead of one which has been tradition.
Randall Lanier, chair of the Crime Stoppers board, explained their typical process. It included each agency submitting nominations to a selection committee. They would review nominees then select one representative as Officer of the Year for Davidson County.
Fearing possible difficulties in finding members to serve on the committee, the board opted to take a different approach. Each law enforcement agency collected nominations and submitted their selections to the Crime Stoppers board.
Officers of the Year are as follows:
Thomasville Police Department - Lt. Wendell Amos
NC Wildlife Commission - Officer Ashley O’Hare
Department of Corrections - Sgt. Jesse Smith
Denton Police Department - Cpl. Randy Basinger
Lexington Police Department - Cpl. Seth Williams
Probation - Josh Barrier (his wife accepted on his behalf)
NC Highway Patrol - Trooper E. W. Ribelin
Department of Motor Vehicles - Inspector Jeremy Wilhite
Davidson County Sheriff’s Department - Brett Hughes
Each officer was presented with a certificate and a engraved Yeti cup. Before awards were given, there was an invocation by LPD Officer Matthew Effinger. In honor of Veterans Day, Lanier asked veterans in attendance to stand and be recognized. Food was provided by Kevin Heart of Heart’s Catering.
Although the ceremony was unconventional, Lanier was pleased with the event.
“We think it went well. Last year, we recognized every department as a whole. We’re pleased to have relationships with all the agencies represented. We have some really good police officers and law enforcement in this county.”
*Currently, the board of directors has vacancies. Lanier expressed a desire to have younger members who are committed to being involved. If interested, contact Lt. BJ Daniels (LPD) at (336)250-1193.
Officer of the Year recipients are: (Back row from left to right) - Brett Hughes (DC Sherriff’s Department), Cpl. Seth Williams (Lexington PD), Lt. Wendell Amos (Thomasville PD), Trooper E.W. Ribelin (NC Highway Patrol), Inspector Jeremy Wilhite (NC DMV), Cpl. Randy Basinger (Denton PD), and Sgt. Jesse Smith (NC DOC). On the front row, from left to right are: Officer Ashley O’Hare (NC Wildlife Commission) and representing Josh Barrier (Probation) is his wife. {Kassaundra Shanette Lockhart/Davidson Local}
