News Briefs - December 2000

North Carolina Department of Public Safety

December 2000

Division IV Staff Assist In Search & Rescue of Downed Helicopter

WAYNESVILLE- The North Carolina Forest Service recently thanked a number of Community Corrections staff in Division Four for their assistance in the search and rescue of a downed helicopter. Managers, supervisors and officers all put in many hours to help recover the helicopter.

A pilot and crew chief from the Forest Service were killed when the helicopter went down Sept. 7 in Waynesville.

In a letter to staff, Robert Lee Guy, director of the Division of Community Corrections, thanked those who took part in the search and rescue effort. "Although the outcome of this search and rescue was sad, our pride for your efforts is not diminished," wrote Guy.

Those who took part in the effort included: Bobby Cagle, Stan Shumolis, Dalene Parton, Jerry Presnell, Allen Rathbone, Bruce Ann Green, Craig Barker, Randy Pendergrass, Charles Nichols, Ronnie Castle, Glenn Weeks, Eric Mulkey, Nick Guthrie, David Oates, David Guice, Tim Marshall, Michael Brown, Andrew Hogan, Karey Treadway, Rick Lasater, Jon Roof, Jerry Jackson, Todd Carter, Michael Wright, James Barker, Pat Dillingham, Clark Atkins, Lorri Hensley, Michael Gier and Jason Ponder.

K-9 Aids Officers In Catching Sex Offender

YANCEYVILLE- Intensive Officer Rick Lappin, with the help of the K-9 unit from Dan River Prison Work Farm, recently captured a sex offender who had absconded.

On Aug. 17, Lappin received information that the absconder was at a particular residence. When he went to check it out, the offender saw him and ran into some nearby woods. Lappin immediately called upon the services of Officers Greg Ingram and Kenneth Underwood and their bloodhound. Moments later the bloodhound picked up the offender’s scent; he was soon located and arrested.

Lappin has been with the department nearly five years. He started out as a probation/parole officer in Person County. Both Ingram and Underwood started their careers with the department at Caswell Correctional Center. Ingram has been with the department nine years and Underwood has 10 years of service.

Alamance Officers Assist INS Operation

GRAHAM- Several probation and parole officers from Alamance County (Judicial District 15A) assisted in a multi-agency operation in Graham on Sept. 19 that resulted in the arrest of 17 illegal aliens and the beginning of removal/deportation proceedings. Most of the people arrested in the operation were on supervised probation in Alamance County.

Community Corrections Director Robert Lee Guy received a letter of thanks from the Immigration and Naturalization Service commending Chief Probation/Parole Officer Steve Neighbors and his staff who participated. "All officers displayed the utmost professionalism when dealing with the individuals arrested or their family members," wrote INS Supervisory Special Agent Thomas O'Connell. "However, they did not sacrifice the safety of the officers or aliens involved in the operation."

Probation Officer Helps Heart Attack Victim

A Windsor man survived a heart attack thanks in part to the quick thinking and emergency skills of a Bertie County probation/parole officer and three other people. Intensive Officer Randy Skinner helped in the rescue of a man who suffered a heart attack Oct. 25 as he walked out of a Windsor supermarket.

Skinner was driving by the store at lunchtime when he saw the man lying on the ground and some other people gathered around trying to help him. Fortunately for the victim, those people turned out to be a doctor who had been jogging by, a nurse and a physical therapist who were taking a lunch-hour walk and Skinner, who is also an emergency medical technician.

Nurse Alta Blowe and Officer Skinner started CPR, with Skinner performing the chest compressions and Blowe doing the rescue breathing. They lost the man's pulse twice, but managed to bring him back both times and kept him alive until the ambulance arrived. The man was rushed to Pitt Memorial Hospital where he was in serious condition, but recovering.

"I was really impressed with how everybody rallied around him," said Dr. Mark Medford, in a newspaper report. "I think a combination of everybody working together really gave him a chance."

Hargett Named Outstanding Program Supervisor

ASHEVILLE- Janella Hargett, program supervisor at Lumberton Correctional Institution, was recognized as the 2000 Outstanding Program Supervisor at the programs symposium, which was held Sept. 17-19 in Asheville.

Hargett started her career with the Department in 1995 as a correctional program assistant at Lumberton. Two years later she was promoted to program assistant II. Then in 1999 she was promoted to program supervisor.

Hargett is described as a hard worker and highly motivated. She has a long list of programs she has implemented that include an annual inmate talent show, a weightlifting competition and field day events. She also coordinated a musical production at the facility and has started a musical group made up of approximately 12 inmates.

While a single parent, Hargett graduated summa cum laude from Fayetteville State University in 1994. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and was an All-American Scholar in the Who’s Who of American Colleges and Universities.

Two other awards were also given out at the symposium. Elizabeth Laycock, program director at Rowan Correctional Center, received the Leadership Award and Raymond Krynicki of Pender Correctional won the program assistant award.

Nash Employee of the Quarter Announced

NASHVILLE- The recognition committee at Nash Correctional Institution has chosen Leroy Grant as Employee of the Quarter. In a letter, Correctional Administrator Michael Bumgarner told Grant he was selected for several reasons, including his dedication to duty, punctuality, dependability and self-motivation, as well as his willingness to assist and support fellow staff members.

"The vast improvements you have made to the landscaping throughout the institution are a testament to your ability and your commitment to a job well done," said Bumgarner. Grant has been grounds supervisor at Nash for about two years. Prior to his current position, he was a correctional officer at Nash for eight years and at Odom Correctional Institution for 10 years.

"It’s nice to be recognized," said Grant. "I believe you can accomplish anything as long as nobody cares who receives the credit."

Grant is married and has six grown children and seven grandchildren. When he’s not working, Grant is involved in a gospel group at his church. He plays the guitar, the harmonica and sings.

Division II Employees Get A Big Thank You

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CURRIE- More than 200 people turned out for the Division II Division of Community Corrections Employee Appreciation Day Oct. 27 at Moore’s Creek Revolutionary War National Battleground Park. They were treated to all kinds of good food, fun and a history lesson.

"I wanted to show folks the historic benefit in the area in the short time we had," said James Fullwood, Division II chief. "I not only invited Division II staff, but people from all departments. I believe that you cannot be effective by yourself and the team effort by all should be appreciated."

Fullwood and his fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha donated most of the food. Staff pitched in to cook and donate a lot of the side items. There were also several booths that provided employees with information on benefits and state organizations.

Many talented employees provided the entertainment. Some of them sang, played guitar or told jokes. Speakers included Robert Lee Guy, director of the Division of Community Corrections; Ann Childress, park superintendent; Flint Benson, SEANC president; Mary Stevens, Parole Commission; and Frank Rogers, Personnel.

Surveillance Officer Places In World Skeet Championship

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Surveillance Officer Neill McInnis competed in the World Skeet Championship Oct. 15-21 in San Antonio, Texas. About 1,300 shooters from across the country and around the world took part in the event. McInnis fired a perfect score of 125 and then placed fifth in a shoot-off.

McInnis has been shooting skeet for eight years. "It has been fun since the first bird, " says McInnis, who practices weekly at the Fort Bragg Gun Club.

The lifelong resident of Cumberland County started his career with the department 10 years ago as a processing officer at Hoke Correctional Institution. In November 1994, shortly after being named Officer of the Quarter, McInnis became a surveillance officer. He has received a Criminal Justice Certification to teach in several specialty areas including unarmed self-defense, less than lethal defensive tactics, firearms, sexual harassment and pepper spray. McInnis is also a 32^nd degree Master Mason, member of the Scottish Rite and a sergeant in the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry, the city’s official color guard.

Neuse Cooks Up Hot Fundraiser

GOLDSBORO- Staff at Neuse Correctional Institution are selling cookbooks to raise money for the North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. The cookbooks are filled with close to 500 recipes from staff at Neuse, Wayne Correctional Center, Division of Prisons, Auxiliary Services, Citizen Services, Administrative Services, the Eastern Region Office, Wayne Community College and a local law firm.

Kathy Sledge and Celena Grantham, both of Neuse, put the cookbook together and sent it to the publisher. "Sales have been going well," said Grantham. If you want one, the price is $10.

Maintenance Supervisor Umpires Dixie Youth World Series

Terry Deese, facility maintenance supervisor at Lumberton Correctional Institution, recently fulfilled a long-time goal by umpiring the Dixie Youth World Series. He called five games at this year's tournament in Marshall, TX during August. Deese has been a Dixie Youth baseball umpire since 1986 when he started as a coach for his son's team. Deese was one of 28 umpires selected from 11 states.

Deese said he really enjoyed being around the kids, seeing their attitudes about playing ball and watching them excel. He met people from four different states and was thrilled with his chance to represent Robeson County and North Carolina.

Deese began working for the Department of Correction in 1992 as an electrician at Columbus Correctional Institution. He transferred to Lumberton in 1993 and was promoted to supervisor in 1995.

Probation/Parole Officer Elected Register Of Deeds

KENANSVILLE- Davis Hiram Brinson was elected as Duplin County’s Register of Deeds in the Nov. 7 general election.

"I’ve enjoyed being probation/parole officer," said Brinson. "I have some regrets about leaving, but I’m excited about my new job."

Brinson has been with Community Corrections for three years. A Kenansville resident, Brinson is married and has one stepdaughter. His new position is effective Dec. 4.

Food Service Manager Receives Recognition

David Oxendine, food service manager II at Lumberton Correctional Institution, was recently featured in FoodNews, the quarterly newsletter published by Division of Prisons, Food Services. Mr. Oxendine was acknowledged for the assistance he has provided to food service units at other facilities, including Pasquotank, Sampson, Hoke and Columbus.

Oxendine has been with the Division of Prisons since 1988. Prior to joining the DOC he taught food service to U.S. military personnel.

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