THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 11, 1994 TAG: 9408100146
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
ALTHOUGH HIS profession provides the community with an important service, Capt. James E. Vaughan of the Suffolk Sheriff's Department has found that volunteer work is equally rewarding.
``I have a stressful job,'' Vaughan said. ``But if you like dealing with the public, it's rewarding to help an individual who has a problem get on the right track.''
Vaughan, 64, recently received a reward for volunteerism - in a tangible form - when he was honored as ``Outstanding Elk in the State of Virginia'' by the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks.
He was selected from among 13,000 Elks for the honor, which he received in June at the state convention in Charlottesville.
``The Elks is a very family-oriented organization, and I'm proud of it,'' Vaughan said. ``Anything I get into, I try to dedicate myself to it. If I can't get into it completely, then I won't remain involved.''
A Suffolk native, Vaughan graduated from Whaleyville High School in 1947. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 and served in Iceland and Southeast Asia.
In 1971, Vaughan retired from the service as a master sergeant and joined the Suffolk Sheriff's Office. He graduated cum laude from Paul D. Camp Community College in 1979 with an associate's degree in police science.
``I have worked in all phases of the sheriff's office,'' Vaughan said. ``It's probably one of the most dangerous professions because we deal with domestic problems, take demented persons to a psychiatric clinic or hospital, and transport juveniles to juvenile homes where they are detained overnight.''
Another of Vaughan's job responsibilities is to provide security in Suffolk's courtrooms and to officiate at public auctions held to pay the debts of property owners.
``I've lived in Suffolk for so long, and I know so many people,'' he said. ``It's stressful to sell a man's property to satisfy a debt. But I leave the problems at the office when I go home.''
Vaughan joined the Suffolk Elks Lodge in 1977 and has served on numerous committees. For the past five years, he has been state membership chairman.
``Being membership chairman involves an awful lot of hard work,'' he said. ``There are 31 lodges within four districts throughout the state. I also receive rosters of members who have left one area and moved to another. We try to get them active again.''
The chief purpose of the Elks organization is charity, and the group sponsors fund-raisers throughout the year, Vaughan said.
He has participated in the annual Seafood Festival and the local ``Hoop Shoot,'' which sends talented young basketball players to district, state and national competition.
Vaughan also has worked in the Elks' ``Step Forward Shoe Program,'' which provides shoes to families in need.
And he has been involved in fund-raising for the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society.
In addition to his service with the Elks, Vaughan is a member of the Whaleyville Ruritan Club, Travelers Protective Association, American Legion, State Sheriff's Association and the Suffolk Moose Lodge.
He and his wife, Mary Ann, have two grown daughters, Jamie Messinger and Karen Vaughan, both of Suffolk, and two grandchildren. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Capt. James E. Vaughan of the Suffolk Sheriff's Department has been
honored as ``Outstanding Elk in the State of Virginia'' by the
Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks.
by CNB