Harbin named Officer of the Year

Michael F. Easley Governor		Theodis Beck Secretary
North Carolina Department of Correction

For Release: IMMEDIATE	Contact: Keith Acree
Date: May 14, 2002	Phone: (919) 716-3727

Michael Harbin named Officer of the Year APEX – Officer Michael Harbin from Pender Correctional Institution in Burgaw was recognized today by Secretary Theodis Beck and the North Carolina Department of Correction as one of 12 Correctional Officers of the Year. Officer Harbin was recognized for an act of heroism on April 14, 2002. He was working on the north yard at Pender Correctional Institution when he heard a loud explosion. He located the source of the blast in the boiler room of a nearby dormitory and sounded the emergency call on the radio. Inside the boiler room, he smelled gas and saw two injured people, a maintenance worker and an inmate. He turned off the gas and then assisted the injured people. Harbin’s quick thinking and actions may have helped prevent a second explosion and more injuries. Harbin is a six-year veteran of the Department of Correction. # # #


Public Information Office 4202 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC 27699-4202 (919) 716-3700 Fax: (919) 716-3795	Pamela Walker Director