News Briefs

North Carolina Department of Public Safety

March 2001

News Briefs

Toney Named Region C Probation Officer of the Year

RUTHERFORDTON - Surveillance Officer John Toney of Rutherford County was named Probation Officer of the Year for 2000 on Jan. 11 by the Region C Criminal Justice Advisory Committee. The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department nominated Toney for the award.

"John Toney has been a hard working, dedicated employee and we are very proud that he has been honored with this award," said Cheryl Modlin, unit supervisor in Judicial District 29C.

Toney began his career as a correctional officer at Rutherford Correctional Center in July 1989. He transferred to Community Corrections in Rutherford County in 1996. Toney is married and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. When he’s not working Toney enjoys hunting.

Foothills Unit Manager Receives Award

MORGANTON - Herman D. Avery, unit manager at Foothills Correctional Institution, received the H.G. "Gus" Moeller Award Nov. 17. The award is given for outstanding service to the North Carolina Correctional Association (NCCA) and its membership.

Avery has been a member of the NCCA since 1994 and has served as president, regional vice-chairperson, chairperson and on various committees. He was also recently appointed to the national membership committee for the American Correctional Association.

The Morganton resident joined the department nearly 15 years ago as a nursing assistant at Western Youth Institution. He was later a program assistant at Western. From there he was promoted to assistant unit manager at Foothills Correctional Institution and eventually unit manager. Avery received an associate arts degree in criminal justice from Western Piedmont Community College in 1985 and a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from Gardner-Webb College in 1987. He received the advanced certificate in 1988 from the N.C. Criminal Justice Education Standards Commission.

Avery is married with two godchildren. He is the founder and director of the Stout Hearted Boys Club for at-risk youth.

Officers Aid In Drug Sweep

ROANOKE RAPIDS- Several officers from Judicial District 6A (Halifax County) took part in a countywide drug sweep Feb. 2 that netted 17 arrests and involved several law enforcement agencies.

Officers Karen Bozard, Robb Ellis, John Moore, Michael Reynolds, Tony Evans and Jeffrey Davis assisted in executing warrants for the arrests of individuals who had sold illegal substances to undercover agents. An ex-probationer, a probation absconder and an individual currently on intensive probation were apprehended. Large amounts of marijuana, crack cocaine, cash and some weapons were seized.

Caledonia Correctional Institution furnished a bus for transportation of suspects to the Halifax County Jail and a correctional officer, Thomas Chambliss, to drive the bus.

The Roanoke Rapids Police Department, Weldon Police Department, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Northampton County Sheriff’s Office and Alcohol Law Enforcement also participated in the raid dubbed "Operation New Millennium Drug Sweep."

Mitchell Completes Public Manager’s Program

CHARLOTTE- Cynthia Mitchell, assistant judicial district manager in Charlotte, completed the North Carolina Public Manager’s Program in December and was recognized at a ceremony Feb. 5 in Raleigh. The two-year program is offered by the Office of State Personnel to managers and supervisors statewide.

Mitchell began her career with the Department in 1980 as one of the original 14 intake officers. She transferred to Mecklenburg County in 1981 and rose through the ranks as a court intake officer, probation/parole officer, intensive chief probation/parole officer and assistant judicial district manager. She helped develop the specialized domestic violence unit for Adult Probation and Parole. Mitchell is also a board member of Summit House, an alternative community sanction for women.

A native of Illinois, Mitchell graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor of science degree in corrections. She also has a master’s of science degree in organizational management from Pfeiffer University in Charlotte.

Mitchell and her husband Cecil have two sons. She enjoys photography, reading and travel.

State Employees Credit Union Expands Services In Hyde County

SWAN QUARTER- State Employees Credit Union officials credit Superintendent Derrick Wadsworth and Correctional Officer Beadie Gibbs of Hyde Correctional Institution for the installation of a new ATM across from the Hyde County Courthouse. Before its installation, the closest Credit Union ATM was about a 30-minute drive. A portion of the building where it was installed will also be used as a small office for the credit union. SECU officials will post a schedule detailing the days and hours personnel will be on hand to open accounts and process loan payments.

Jeff Nelson, senior regional vice-president for SECU, said that without the support of Wadsworth and Gibbs of Hyde Correctional Institution, the service might not have become a reality. Gibbs wrote SECU explaining the need for more services in the area.

Nash Holds Blood Drive

NASHVILLE- Staff at Nash Correctional Institution donated 30 units of blood Jan. 19 at a drive hosted by the Rocky Mount-Nash County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Thirty-seven people rolled up their sleeves and attempted to donate blood. There were three first-time donors. In a letter of thanks to Pat Thompson, processing assistant at Nash, Tracy Castel, blood services coordinator, wrote, "Each productive unit of blood can help save the lives of up to four people in area hospitals. Therefore, 120 lives were saved simply because of your willingness to host a blood drive."

Employees Pledge Thousands To Charities

Correction employees across the state pledged nearly half a million dollars during the annual drive for the State Employees’ Combined Campaign. The $447,355 was pledged by 5,620 employees for an average gift of $79.60. Correction increased its pledges from the previous year’s total of $418,039.

The Combined Campaign is run by state employees, for state employees and it’s the only authorized charitable fund-raising campaign for most state workers. The SECC offers employees the opportunity to designate their donations to a single agency or to a group of agencies and payroll deduction makes giving easy and efficient. Secretary Theodis Beck served as chairman of the Wake County SECC effort for all state agencies.

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