Banquet to honor law enforcement officers
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on February 20, 2005 2:06 AM
Current and former law enforcement officers will be honored at a banquet Saturday evening, March 12, at the Wayne Center in Goldsboro.
Organizers plan to present the Order of the Longleaf Pine, North Carolina's highest civilian honor, to three individuals -- Admiral Howell, who's a retired game warden; the late Judge Arnold Jones; and Wake County Deputy Mark Tucker, who was killed in the line of duty last year.
Jones' and Tucker's wives have agreed to be at the banquet to accept their awards.
Also, U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones has agreed to be the guest speaker. Jones, representing North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District, plans to update efforts to establish a "war dog" memorial in Washington, D.C.
Organizers plan to give the Goldsboro Police Department a "bite suit," used to train police dogs.
The Wayne County Sheriff's Office will receive 5,000 coloring books and 11,000 pieces of printed material to use with the COPE program taught in county schools.
The Charles B. Aycock High School Jazz band will start the program with music at 6:30 p.m. The meal will begin at 7 p.m.
This is the third year for the banquet, which salutes all levels of law enforcement, from small police departments up to federal agencies. It has drawn 150-200 people per year.
The public is welcome to attend. Tickets are $10 and are on sale now. Call Dennis Lewis or Thigie Thigpen at 242-6625.