THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 13, 1996 TAG: 9604130345
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Long : 107 lines
Legendary Marine sniper Carlos ``Gunny'' Hathcock II was given a Meritorious Public Service Award Friday for a decade of training police sharpshooters.
Hathcock was one of more than 30 citizens and police officers recognized for bravery, public service, on-duty injuries and achievements during the city's annual award ceremony.
The retired gunnery sergeant was once among the most feared and prolific snipers of the Vietnam War. After retirement, Hathcock shared his shooting expertise with law-enforcement officers and became a volunteer instructor.
The honor was one of many the 53-year-old veteran has received for a lifetime of service.
For 7-year-old Ross McQuilkin, a commendation from the police was a first. He was cited for helping save swimmers from storm-whipped surf.
Ross, his older brother Drew, and another boy, Dennis Trapp, used their surfboards to rescue nine swimmers swept offshore by rip tides spawned in August by Hurricane Felix.
``They were struggling and tired, and they just held on to the back of my board,'' Ross said. The young surfer said he guided several of the swimmers away from strong currents and brought them to shore.
Ross, who said he has been wave riding as long as he can remember - two years - wants to be a professional surfer.
Several police officers were honored for heroics, including Officer B.D. Knight for saving the life of a man who set himself on fire, and Sgt. Brian Robertson for rescuing a man from a burning townhouse.
A special award was given to Police Chief Charles R. Wall for his service to the city and Police Department. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by Gary C. Knapp
Carlos Hathcock II, a retired Marine sniper, was given a Meritorious
Public Service Award
Photo by GARY C. KNAPP
Ross McQuilkin, 7, received a commendation Friday for helping to
save swimmers from storm-whipped surf off Virginia Beach.
[List]
Award Recipients
The recipients of awards given by Virginia Beach on Friday:
Life-Saving Medal
Drew Silverman, Ronald Silverman, Alain Roulett Sr., Alain
Roulett Jr., Antwin Daniel for rescuing and reviving a jet-ski rider
after an accident left him unconscious and floating face-down in the
Chesapeake Bay.
Meritorious Public Service Award
Lillian Vernon, owner of the catalog company, for donations made
to families.
Walter Grooms, Ed Lewis, Mark Griffin for rescuing a motorist
whose car crashed into a drainage canal. The men are Virginia Power
employees.
Virginia Air National Guard, 203rd Red Horse Flight, for
volunteering to build a stage for a police-sponsored youth event.
James J. Custer for his support of the police mounted patrol.
Mary Shenkenberger for her dedication to the Police Department.
Carlos Hathcock II for helping train police sharpshooters.
Commendation Award
John Bernette for helping return a lost 5-year-old child to her
family.
Shawn Ellis for catching an armed shooting suspect.
Ross McQuilkin, Drew McQuilkin, and Dennis Trapp for using their
surfboards to rescue nine struggling swimmers caught in rip
currents.
Richard Ramos and Paul Williams for helping police catch an
armed-robbery suspect.
Derrick Hughes for helping police rescue a man from a burning
home.
Blue Star Award, for wounds or injuries sustained in the line of
duty.
Officer Mike Falkner, who has been twice struck by cars,
resulting in partial disabilities.
Detective R.W. Pickens, for a serious knee injury sustained while
arresting a suspect.
Officer R. DiNapoli, whose motor-cycle was struck by a drunken
motorist.
Officer D.B. Meeks, for a hand injury sustained during a SWAT
drill. The injury forced him to retire.
Officer C.S. Johnson, who was hurt when his motorcycle crashed
into a car on Pacific Avenue.
Officer Mike Carey, who seriously injured his back while trying
to help a tow-truck driver remove a wrecked car.
Animal Control Officer Shelly Bennett, who needed surgery after
she was attacked by a dog.
Silver Cross Medal, for bravery
Sgt. Brian Robertson, for saving a man from a burning home.
B.D. Knight, for helping save a man who had set himself on fire.
Medal of Merit, for outstanding service
Officer W.F. Parks, for more 26 years of exceptional service.
Special Commendation
Scott Santos and Ruben Espinoza Jr., for catching a
purse-snatcher.
Sgt B.B. Batten and officers D.J. Campbell and P.J. McAndrews,
for forming the city's bomb squad.
Sgt. D.L. Fox, for developing new procedures to serve emergency
commitment orders.
by CNB