Colonel Bill Grey, commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and Frank L. Perry, secretary of the Department of Public Safety, presented several members and citizens with awards in a ceremony today. The awards given included the State Highway Patrol Meritorious Service , Samaritan and Appreciation.
“The sacrifices displayed by the sworn and civilian members of the State Highway Patrol serve as outstanding examples of the unwavering service provided by state employees”, Perry said.
“The men and women honored here today have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the citizens of North Carolina”, said Grey. “I am proud to work with employees that display such a willingness to serve.”
Awards and Recipients:
Meritorious Service Award
Stephen C. Cox – Network Analyst, David K. McCord – Technology Support Technician, Christian G. Woodard – Network Technician, Robert L. Nichols – Network Technician, Nathan H. Hamilton, Jr. – Network Technician, Julia A. Jordan – Technology Support Analyst, Francis L. Allen – Technology Support Analyst.
The Highway Patrol's Technical Serveices Unit was given the daunting task of updating the operating system of every SHP computer to Windows 7. To The group realized the project was monumental and that bringing every computer to Raleigh for the upgrade would hamper field operations around the state. The group developed a mobile server so they could travel to Troop Headquarters, district offices, and communication centers around the state to install Windows 7 and perform Windows XP remediation.
The group was able to use a mobile server and image 25 computers per day and move stored data on each computer. Other computer issues were identified and addressed while members of this group were working at a site. More than 2,200 computers were updated or replaced before the mandated deadline. By developing and implementing this process, they significantly reduced travel costs and personnel down-time for the entire Highway Patrol.
Chris Harris – SHP Network Technician
After the Viper P25 conversion in June 2014 it was discovered that there were many frequency reuse problems that resulted in "cross talk" between radio transmissions on the Viper voice network. At that time, the only way to find out what frequencies may be in conflict was to do a time consuming process of searching the FCC database to determine what sites were interfering with each other. This could result in hours of time spent to find one problem.
When moret than a hundred frequencies were problematic it became apparent a better solution needed to be found. Chris Harris, SHP Network Technician, compiled a spreadsheet to track what frequencies were problematic.
When he was off-duty, Harris gathered the Motorola database into a spreadsheet that allows one to enter a frequency and it automatically checks it against all other sites in the Viper voice system as well as any other 800/700 MHz user in the state that has provided their frequency data.
The spreadsheet Harris created automatically flags any potential problems and allows the user to select criteria to compare data. Harris includes other problems as they are identified to help reduce other problems on the system. This spreadsheet has helped resolve many problems in a more efficient manner and is used daily. Chris provides updates to the database on a bi-monthly time frame and its accuracy is unparalleled. "His attention to detail shows and all techs have benefited because of his hard work," Harris' nominator wrote. I
Trooper Joe D. Berrong, II – Troop F, District 9, Wilkesboro and Sgt. Benjamin P. Gates – Troop E, District 9, Salisbury.
In August, Trooper Joe D. Berrong, (F-935) and Sgt. Benjamin P. Gates, (E-921), represented the State Highway Patrol in St. Louis, Missouri while competing in the 2015 North American Inspectors Challenge -- and won.
Berrong and Gates were awarded the Jimmy K. Ammons Grand Champion Award, the highest NAIC honor for roadside inspectors, for their combined performances against 51 other inspectors in six competition elements:
1. North American Standard Level I Inspection
2. North American Standard Level I Inspection Procedure
3. North American Standard Hazmat/Transportation of Dangerous Goods Inspection
4. North American Standard Cargo Tank/Other Bulk Packaging’s Inspection
5. North American Standard Level V Passenger Vehicle (Motor coach) Inspection
6. North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria Exam.
Trooper Berrong was coached by Sgt. Gates and the two worked tirelessly during the past several years to be able to represent the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. The North American Inspectors Championship, in its 23rd year, is the only event that recognizes and rewards the commercial motor vehicle inspector’s excellence in North America.
"The hard work and dedication to duty displayed by these members during this competition were a credit to our agency and reflect the highest standards set forth within the N.C. State Highway Patrol," wrote their nominator.
Samaritan Service Awards
Trooper Paul Howard, Jr. – Troop B, District 4 – Kenansville
On Tuesday, May 5, about 7 a.m., Trooper Paul Howard responded to a call for assistance at Guilford Mills textile plant in Kenansville. A 61-year-old male had suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed. Trooper Howard arrived and assisted the Guilford Mills Response Team with a CPR effort.
Duplin County EMS arrived and through all of the efforts of the CPR, the main regained his pulse. He was transported to a hospital where he later passed away.
Trooper Howard's actions went above and beyond the call of duty when he responded in an attempt to save a life. This was not a call directed to the Highway Patrol and Trooper Howard took it upon himself to act.
"This act had a positive impact on the relationship with the general public (Guilford Mills) and helped strengthen the Highway Patrol's partnership with Duplin County EMS," Howard's nominator wrote.
Trooper Jeremy C. Freeman – Troop B, District 5 – Elizabethtown
On Sat., Sept.12, Trooper Jeremy Freeman made a traffic stop on NC 87 in Bladen County. A woman in the passenger seat was non-responsive. The driver of the truck, the woman's husband, told Trooper Freeman that his wife was taking morphine for medicinal purposes and may have over-medicated herself.
Trooper Freeman and the woman's husband placed her in the back of the truck and Freeman radioed communications to request an ambulance. He checked for a pulse and respirations. The patient had a pulse but was not breathing.
Trooper Freeman inserted an oropharyngeal airway and ventilated the patient with his issued bag valve mask. The husband advised Trooper Freeman that because the patient was prescribed morphine, the doctor had also prescribed Naloxone for accidental overdoses.
Trooper Freeman assisted the husband with the Naloxone and gave her 0.4 mg by auto injector. Trooper Freeman then continued ventilations until Bladen County EMS arrived. The traffic stopped occurred in a remote area of Bladen County, approximately 15 miles from the Bladen County Hospital.
"Due to the distance to the nearest medical facility and the patient not breathing, it is my opinion that Trooper Freeman's actions directly impacted the outcome of this event," Freeman's nominator wrote. "It is without a doubt that Trooper Freeman saved this woman’s life."
Trooper David W. Emory – Troop I, District 3 – Greenville
On Friday, July 3, at 2:17 p.m., Trooper Emory, was off-duty and outside at his residence with his family. Trooper Emory, his wife and son saw a vehicle traveling down their road in a reckless manner, hitting mailboxes and swerving from one side of the road to the other.
Trooper Emory, thinking the driver was impaired, ran to action, getting his Patrol-issued pistol, Patrol ID and keys. After notifying Raleigh Communications, Trooper Emory pursued the driver in his patrol vehicle and managed to get the driver stopped a short distance down the road.
As he approached the driver, Trooper Emory noticed the driver was not impaired, but having a medical condition, possibly a diabetic crisis. Trooper Emory, a paramedic, recognized this condition immediately and started administering first aid to the driver who was in fact having a diabetic crisis according to EMS personnel.
Trooper Emory relinquished medical care of the driver to the responding EMS members. The driver’s condition improved greatly when he received medical care and was expected to make a full recovery.
Trooper Emory along with Trooper Hardison obtained information from the homeowners who had property damaged during the incident.
"Trooper Emory’s actions are indicative of his character and his belief in the Patrol’s mission statement, to “Safeguard and preserve the lives and property of the people in North Carolina," Emory's nominator wrote. "Trooper Emory’s decision to rush to action, even while off-duty, speaks volumes to his character and integrity."
Trooper Patrick E. Ellis – Troop E, District 5 – Mount Airy
On Sat., Sept. 19, about 6:30 p.m., Trooper Patrick Ellis was on patrol in Surry County when he made what he thought would be a routine stop for a speeding violation.
As Trooper Ellis was completing a citation for the violation, the vehicle's passenger alerted Trooper Ellis that the driver was experiencing a seizure. Trooper Ellis responded immediately, approaching the driver's window where he found the driver unresponsive. Trooper Ellis quickly assessed that the driver was in a medical crisis. Trooper Ellis contacted State Highway Patrol Communications and requested that Surry County EMS respond to the scene.
Trooper Ellis removed the man from his vehicle and saw that he was not conscious or breathing, so he immediately started CPR and continued until EMS units arrived about five minutes later. Paramedics used a defibulator and continued CPR while transporting the man to the hospital. Three days later, the Surry County Emergency Services directortold Trooper Ellis that the man had sustained a massive heart attack, but was alive and doing well at the Winston-Salem hospital thanks to Trooper Ellis's quick action. "Trooper Ellis's quick response, and the actions he took on this occasion, saved Mr. Green's life," according to Ellis' nominator.
Sgt. Benjamin P. Gates – Troop E, District 9 – Salisbury
On Wed., Sep. 23, Captain N. W. Denman, Sergeant B. P. Gates and Trooper W. N. Nesbit were eating lunch at a restaurant in China Grove. A woman in the back corner booth stood up and indicated she was choking and having trouble breathing. A gentleman that was with her attempted several times to administer the Heimlich maneuver but was unsuccessful.
Sgt. Gates, who was closest to the couple, grabbed the woman from behind, established the proper grip and administered three strong abdominal thrusts which dislodged the food from her airway. Once her airway was cleared, Sgt. Gates and Trooper Nesbit comforted the lady and ensured she did not need any further medical assistance. She stated that she was "fine now." The couple thanked Sergeant Gates and Trooper Nesbit for their actions and the woman asked to have her picture taken with both members.
Trooper Stephen S. Allred – Troop G, District 5 – Silva, Trooper Jordan E. Parton
While patrolling in Jackson County on Fri., July 31, about 3 p.m., Trooper Jordan Parton came upon an SUV parked on the shoulder of US23/74 with flashers activated. Trooper Parton stopped her patrol vehicle behind the presumed stranded motorist and approached the passenger side of the SUV.
Trooper Parton found a female in the driver's seat slumped over onto the center console area. The doors of the SUV were locked and the engine was not running. There were no other occupants in the vehicle. Trooper Parton knocked on the window in an attempt to get a response from the female in the vehicle but the she did not respond. Trooper Parton could see the rise and fall of the driver's chest and knew she was breathing. It was a very hot day and Trooper Parton knew the temperature inside the vehicle was even hotter and could see that the driver sweating profusely and her skin was very red. Trooper Parton believed the life of the woman was in danger and knew she had to get into the car to help her.
Trooper Stephen Allred was on patrol nearby and he arrived on scene. Trooper Parton briefed Trooper Allred on the situation and together the troopers made the decision to make entry into the vehicle. Trooper Allred broke out the window of the vehicle and unlocked the door and the immediate change in air temperature brought the driver back to consciousness within seconds. The driver had noticeable marks around her neck from the seatbelt constricting her airway when she had lost consciousness. The troopers assisted the driver to a shaded area on the shoulder of the roadway and awaited the arrival of EMS. After contacting family members of the woman, they learned she had just had surgery and had been released from a local hospital the day before this incident. "On this day the actions of Trooper Parton and Trooper Allred most likely led to the preservation of the driver's life," their nominator wrote.
Trooper Samuel D. Martin – Troop F, District 4 – Statesville
Highway Patrol Trooper Sammy D. Martin doesn't think of his actions Tue., Oct. 6 at 6:30 a.m. as anything more than another day on the job. Early that morning, Trooper Martin heard a broadcast about a careless and reckless driver drifting slowly between lanes. Martin responded, found the vehicle and followed it for about a mile trying to get the driver to stop. The car kept weaving , and Trooper Martin knew he had to get the driver to stop to avoid a head-on collision. He had activated his blue lights, siren and PA system to no avail.
Trooper Martin said he could see an older man at the wheel of the car but couldn’t tell anything else at that point. For the next half mile, Trooper Martin said, two or three times, the car nearly came to a stop. “Then he’d take off again,” he said. He made the decision to pass the car and he pulled his patrol car across the road, blocking the southbound lane. The vehicle hit the back of Trooper Martin’s patrol car.
Trooper Martin requested an ambulance and then got out and tried to get the man to open the door. He could see the man was in trouble and that he was reaching for the door handle but couldn’t open it. The driver had a blank stare and was sweating profusely.
Trooper Martin broke a window and got the man out of the car and turned off the engine. Trooper Martin suspected the man was either having a heart attack, stroke or diabetic issue. He asked the driver if he was a diabetic, but the man said no. He then asked him what year it was and who was the president, and the man couldn’t answer either question. Trooper Martin then again asked him if he was a diabetic. This time the man said yes. Iredell EMS paramedics arrived and by the time they loaded him for transport to the hospital, his blood sugar reading was back to normal
Trooper Martin said he was simply trying to help the man and prevent a serious crash – something he considers to be a part of his mission to serve and protect the public. “This is why I got onto the N.C. Highway Patrol. This is why I wanted to be a trooper,” he said.
Tracy B. Wiggins – OAIV, Karen L. Nalette – Registered Nurse, Kenneth Woodall Dr. Diane L. Miller – Staff Doctor.
On Thurs., July 30, about 9 a.m., Kenneth W. Woodall, a civilian maintenance worker with the Department of Administration, was working on campus at the State Highway Patrol Training Academy in Raleigh. Woodall saw that Chuck Dixon was sweating profusely and having chest pains. Dixon told Woodall he was having chest pains that he described as being like heart burn. Kenneth Woodall recognized that the symptoms of chest pains and profuse sweating could be signs of cardiac related problems, so Woodall drove Mr. Dixon over to the Training Academy Medical Office where he walked in and asked for help.
Office Assistant Tracy Wiggins proceeded to call 911 upon recognizing this as an emergency. Nurse Karen Nalette, also recognizing this as a possible life-threatening emergency, set up the EKG machine in the patient exam room. Dr. Diane Miller escorted Mr. Dixon to the exam room and she and Nalette performed an EKG and gave him cardiac-related medication.
Dr. Miller and Nurse Nalette placed a fan in front of Mr. Dixon to cool him and Dr. Miller spoke calmly asked him for his medical information and history. The ambulance arrived and transported Mr. Dixon to the hospital. "This was a true medical emergency and the actions of Kenneth Woodall, Tracy Wiggins, Karen Nalette and Dr. Miller were remarkable and life-saving,' wrote their nominator. "All of these individuals acted promptly and did not hesitate after recognizing Mr. Dixon to be having a cardiac related episode that could potentially be life-threatening."
Kenneth W. Woodall received the Colonel's Appreciation Award.
Ms. Janet Sadoski – Retired, State Highway Patrol - Lexington, S.C.
Janet Sadowsk, retired from the State Highway Patrol in 2003. In her retirement, she has developed an interactive map that locates the gravesites for all of the original members of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol as well as the location of all the members that have been killed in the line of duty.
This map works on mobile devices and is available while traveling. The information is given by location or by name. Clicking on the individual flags can provide additional information and directions.
"Gathering and sorting this information was a monumental undertaking, and having this information accessible to all employees of the Highway Patrol is a reminder of our history and the sacrifices that have been made for the citizens of this state," wrote Sadoski's nominator.
A link to the interactive map can be found on the SHP Historywebsite, or go here:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zA15eleQqgak.kWyUkeh54FzY
The Highway Patrol Meritorious Service Award is given by the Patrol to a member or members who serve the state of North Carolina in an outstanding manner.
The Highway Patrol Samaritan Award is an award bestowed to a member of the Patrol who went beyond the call of duty to aid or assist a fellow citizen.
The Highway Patrol Appreciation Award is given in recognition of a citizen or group who has significantly contributed to the success and mission of the Highway Patrol.