THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 10, 1995 TAG: 9509090124
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
Elizabeth Jones, Chesapeake's police officer of the year for 1994, is the new public information officer and Crime Line coordinator for the city's 400-member police department.
She moved to her new position from three years of uniform patrol on midnight shifts in South Norfolk and swing shifts in Deep Creek. She is also trained as a breath analyzer and a preliminary and advanced accident specialist.
``From one exciting position to another,'' said Jones. ``I'm looking forward to working with all the departments like the Sheriff's Office, Criminal Investigations, the Warrant Bureau, Internal Affairs, Special Investigations and all the others. Also I plan to work with expanding the usefulness of the Crime Line to help solve crimes that have occurred.''
Jones has already had her share of excitement with force. In July 1994 she was on midnight patrol of Centerville Turnpike and Mount Pleasant Road when she stopped a car with a burned-out headlight. While getting the driver's information, she noticed a young woman seated in the back between two men. The woman was crying and obviously upset, but the woman didn't speak.
Sensing that something was wrong, Jones stalled, asking the driver additional questions while waiting for back-up officers to arrive.
Jones learned later that the men had been strangling the young woman with a shoestring. The men were arrested and charged with abduction and conspiracy to commit murder. She was later cited by Chief I.M. Shipley Jr. for her quick thinking and professionalism in saving a life.
Jones plans to attend the Crime Stopper International Conference next week in Virginia Beach.
``The department is excellent about encouraging us and supporting us in advance training to continually improve ourselves and the force,'' said Jones.
She grew up in Newport News and graduated from Old Dominion University with a degree in criminal justice. Jones served her internship in the Chesapeake Police Department during her senior year in college.
When she's not at work, Jones likes outdoor activities like roller-blade skating, biking and day trips.
She plans to go back to school and maybe one day to make captain.
``But right now I'm really happy where I am,'' she said. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Officer Elizabeth Jones was police officer of the year for 1994.
by CNB