THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 16, 1996 TAG: 9606140210
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 51 lines
The Great Bridge Ruritan Club has recognized a Chesapeake police officer, a firefighter, a Great Bridge teacher and a state trooper for outstanding service this year.
``We've been doing this for the past four or five years now,'' said Wilbur ``Jeff'' Davis, chairman of the public service committee for the Ruritans. ``It's one way of getting due recognition to our dedicated public servants. It's our way of telling them we appreciate their hard work for our community.''
The awards ceremony and banquet took place last week at Oak Grove United Methodist Church.
Russell Lee Eley III was named ``State Trooper of the Year.'' He is a 1984 graduate of Western Branch High School and a 1988 graduate of Bluefield College. A graduate of the Virginia State Police Academy with an above-average performance rating, Eley has received 20 letters of commendation/appreciation for his performance as a trooper. He is currently a patrol officer assigned to the interstate system in Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Suffolk.
Eley is one of two chaplains for the Fifth Division and is a lay assistant at Faith Lutheran Church in Suffolk. He also serves as field training officer at the State Police Academy, was chosen an area crime prevention specialist, is a substitute teacher for Chesapeake Public Schools and provides guidance to children at Western Branch Middle School.
Jack H. Faddis Jr. was named ``Police Officer of the Year.'' He was chosen for ``dedication to law enforcement profession and the outstanding success of his efforts during a dangerous assignment.''
Last year Faddis, working as an undercover officer in the Great Bridge area, infiltrated a group of youth suspected of a wide variety of criminal activities. His work resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals on 24 felony charges.
Bradford ``Brad'' E. Berry was named ``Fireman of the Year.'' He was chosen for his award because of the compassion and dedication to duty he demonstrated while off duty last May in Cartersville. Attending a drag race event, Berry saw a dragster lose control and slam into the crowd. Berry quickly assisted the one volunteer emergency medical technician crew on scene.
Shirley Smith was named ``Teacher of the Year.'' As media specialist at Great Bridge Intermediate School, she helps students with books, research papers and writing assignments. She has presented special classes for students about historical events, how to use the library and all about special holidays. She is a member of the Great Bridge Women's Club and of Great Bridge Baptist Church.
The Ruritans also surprised Capt. William H. Johnson Jr., commanding officer of the Fifth Division State Police unit, with an award in honor of 32 years of service. by CNB