DATE: Friday, October 10, 1997              TAG: 9710100659

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:  106 lines

MILESTONES

CHESAPEAKE

Clarence V. Cuffee, 52, deputy city manager of Chesapeake, has been awarded the second annual Herb Mackey Lighthouse Award by the Chesapeake Men For Progress.

``The primary focus of our organization is to provide leadership and direction to young African-American males,'' said Clifton Hayes, chairman of the nominating committee. ``And Clarence Cuffee received a unanimous vote as this year's man of the year.''

Cuffee, a Chesapeake native, taught art education and coached in the Chesapeake public schools before attending Fordham University in New York for graduate studies. He worked as a social worker in New York, Richmond and Hampton before serving a stint in the Army, where he specialized in social work with military families.

In 1983, Cuffee left active duty to head Norfolk's Human Services Department for three years before he returned to Chesapeake as assistant city manager. Cuffee, who has served as Chesapeake's interim and acting city manager, was appointed deputy city manager in 1994.

Cuffee is also an adjunct professor at Norfolk State University, where he teaches social work and urban affairs.

NORFOLK

The Medal of Valor, the highest award bestowed upon a member of the Norfolk Police Department, has been given to Chris Amos, a bike patrol officer.

Amos was cited for showing the highest degree of courage by pursuing a suspect in a drug deal despite the danger to himself.

``Despite the danger, Officer Amos put his life on the line in service to the citizens of Norfolk and was shot twice during the incident,'' said Moravia Ebong, Norfolk Police Department spokeswoman. ``His protective vest prevented a more serious injury or death.''

Amos, 31, was shot in the leg and chest during the incident.

Now a PACE Safe Coordinator for the city, Amos acts as a liaison between the police department and the community of faith, encouraging places of worship to become involved in preventing crime in their neighborhoods, he said.

``Ninety-eight percent of the people are law-abiding folk,'' he said. ``We go after that 2 percent, and we go after them pretty hard.''

PORTSMOUTH

The Rev. Gerald O. Glenn, a former Portsmouth police officer, recently became Chesterfield County's first black police chaplain.

Glenn, a 1971 Cradock High School graduate, has been an ordained minister for 20 years. He left law enforcement in 1993 to devote himself full-time to ministry.

In 1995, he organized New Deliverance Church in Chesterfield County. Today, New Deliverance is having a new $1.2 million church constructed. While waiting for its completion, he meets with his congregation in a high school.

Glenn is also a former chief of investigations for the Virginia Department of Health Professions, which examines complaints and possible negligence by the state's health care professionals.

Glenn, a native of Kingsville, Texas, held a similar position with the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners.

SUFFOLK

Jarrette Thomas Campbell II, who uses a wheelchair or walker for mobility and has difficulty speaking after surgery four years ago for a brain tumor, has attained the status of Eagle Scout.

Only about 2.5 percent of the nation's 900,000 Boy Scouts attain the honor each year.

Campbell, a graduate of Nansemond River High School, is a computer student at Paul D. Camp Community College. His doctors have declared him tumor-free.

From January to August, he assisted with story times for children and did other duties at the Chuckatuck branch of the Suffolk Public Library.

Handicapped students at Nansemond River were helped by his Eagle project. Working with others, he re-painted parking spots for handicapped drivers and helped create new parking spaces on the gymnasium side of the school for the handicapped.

``What a wonderful moment,'' the Rev. Mark Burns, pastor of Oakland Christian Church, said at the Eagle ceremony. Oakland Christian is the former meeting site for Jarrette's troop. Troop 25 now meets at the Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department.

A newspaper picture, taken three years ago, shows a skinny teenager, unlike his current 183 pounds.

Still, Campbell is far from being problem-free. He tires easily and has a short memory.

He earned some of the 21 badges necessary to make Eagle before the tumor slowed him down, but he continued after surgery.

His essay for a Scholarship Badge had as its theme: ``Try your hardest, never give up, regardless of your situation,'' he said.

VIRGINIA BEACH

Phillip Goodman, a representative with Prudential Insurance Company of America's Greater Old Dominion Division, has received a Prudential Community Champions Shining Star award of $1,000 for the Kempsville High School Band Parents Association.

Goodman volunteers as chairperson of the ways and means committee for the band parents, supporting the high school's marching and concert bands and ensembles.

He repairs the equipment for the marching and jazz bands and supports band activities.

The association raises funds to assist with instrument repairs, uniforms and scholarships.

Prudential gives the awards as part of its Local Initiatives Division, which recognizes employees and retirees who excel in volunteer commitment, leadership and service in their communities. ILLUSTRATION: Photos

Cuffee

Campbell

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