Virginia Tech Police Department Honored With Teamwork Award

September 04, 2008 CS Staff

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech Police Department was recently honored by the Commonwealth of Virginia with the 2008 Governor’s Award for Teamwork. The department was recognized for its extraordinary teamwork following the tragic events of April 16, 2007.

Each year, the Governor’s Award for Teamwork is presented to a group of state employees who consistently exhibit the qualities that make teamwork essential to an agency’s success, including coordination of efforts to produce quality service or innovative results.

The department’s reliance on teamwork began long before the April 16 tragedy, and extends beyond the university community. The close working relationships with law enforcement agencies and rescue organizations in surrounding locales was evident from the tremendous support received on April 16. In total, more than 30 police and law enforcement agencies and 20 rescue units responded on that day and in the following weeks.

Years of training together, working cases together, and knowing each other on a first name basis was critical to successful operational and tactical events that produced a highly coordinated response. These well-established relationships with regional and local law enforcement and emergency medical departments were further strengthened during this time, as they worked together to respond.

During the weeks following the tragedy, the department, led by Chief Wendell Flinchum, showed their devotion to the university community by working long and strenuous hours with very limited time off. The dedication shown by these employees and their families demonstrated their commitment to enhance the safety and quality of life on campus.

Team members honored with the award include:

Chief Flinchum
Capt. Joseph Albert, Jr.
Officer Geoffrey L. Allen
Officer John A. Berry;
Communications Officer April D. Blankenship
Officer Mason C. Boggess
Charlotte R. Breeding
Zachary A. Collins
Lt. Curtis L. Cook
Officer James E. Cornwell, III
Officer Kenneth L. Craighead
John R. Epperly; B. Kathy French
Sgt. Thomas R. Gallemore
Officer Daniel L. Guilliams
Sgt. Tony C. Haga
Det. Daniel A. Hardy
Officer Rebecca J. Hawkins
Det. Stephanie J. Henley
Capt. Vincent M. Houston
Lt. George C. Jackson
William B. Kinzer, III
Lt. Scott N. Lau;
Denise L. Linkenhoker
Officer H. Dean Lucas
Officer Eric G. McClanahan
F. Lee McNew
Officer Tony M. Miller
Communications Officer Helen C. Moore
Lt. Deborah L. Morgan
Det. Scott T. Moye
Sgt. B. Scott Poff
Jamie Rasmussen
Communications Officer Jennifer L. Ray
Sgt. Jaret D. Reece
Officer Darrell O. Sheppard
Officer Kenneth P. Smith
Sgt. Sean P. Smith
Communications Officer Gary L. Snider
Jared G. Taylor
Pastor Reginald D. Tuck
Officer Paul T. Vinson
Officer Keith D. Weaver
Communications Officer M. Blake Whitt
Officer Larry W. Wooddell

Virginia Tech Sept. 3, 2008 press release

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