Pine Bluff Police Lt. Kelvin Hadley was named Officer of the Year for 2011 during the department’s awards banquet Friday night.
Hadley, who is currently assigned to the Patrol Division, also received the Medal of Valor for his actions on Jan. 22, 2011, when he exchanged gunfire with Timothy Reed and was shot in the chest and left hand. Reed was killed in the incident and Prosecuting Attorney S. Kyle Hunter ruled that Hadley’s actions were justified.
The Medal of Valor was also awarded to then-Patrolman Detective Billy Dixon who was one of the first officers on the scene of a shooting rampage Dec. 16. When Dixon saw the suspect, Courtney Lewis, pointing a gun at another officer, Dixon fired shots at Lewis, who was subsequently charged with 17 separate offenses, 15 of them felonies, including capital murder.
Dixon, who has been with the department nine years, was one of four patrolmen promoted to sergeant Friday night. The others were Robert Henderson, a six-year veteran, Derreck Price, who has been with the department seven years, and Bruce Gee, a 17-year veteran.
Promoted to lieutenant were former Patrol Sgt. JoAnn Bates, who has been with the department for 20 years, and former Detective Sgt. Edna Butler, a 17-year veteran.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Receiving a Meritorious Conduct Award were Sgt. David DeFoor and Detective Marty Harrison. Whitney Grauel was named AmeriCorps Cadet of the Quarter.
The department’s Community Service Award was presented to the Crime Suppression Unit: Offices Mario Brown, Brett Talley, Marquis Blake and Marcus Smith. Lt. Shirley Warrior received the One Person Can Make A Difference Award.
Lt. Terry Hopson was named Senior Supervisor of the Year and Sgt. Derrick Neal Junior Supervisor of the Year.
The Rev. Johnny Smith and Kris McDaniel were named Citizens of the Year for their role in helping a woman after her vehicle crashed into a building.
Stephanie Toney was named Civilian Employee of the Year.
Also recognized were retired Lt. Jeff Hubanks, and retired Sgts. Rick Hill, Glen Mixon and Chuck Cash.