David Meeks named Correctional Officer of the Year

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

For Release: IMMEDIATE	Contact: Keith Acree
Date: May 6, 2003	Phone: (919) 716-3727

David Meeks named Correctional Officer of the Year APEX – Correctional officer David Meeks was recognized today by Secretary Theodis Beck and the North Carolina Department of Correction as one of ten Correctional Officers of the Year. Meeks is assigned to Durham Correctional Center where he rotates between various custody posts and conducts inmate disciplinary investigations. He also responds to emergency situations as a member of the Prison Emergency Response Team. Meeks is recognized for an outstanding act on July 27, 2002. As he was driving along Highway 55 in Durham, he witnessed a vehicle accident between a large truck and a sedan. He stopped his car and went to aid the accident victims, including one with a serious head injury. He remained with the victims until help arrived and then helped rescue workers stabilize the vehicle, which was leaking gasoline, so the victims could be safely removed. "David Meeks performs exceptionally on a daily basis at this facility, but in this incident, he did the same outside of it," said Assistant Superintendent William Tillman. "His actions involved risking his own personal safety to help strangers." Meeks lives in Durham and is a seven-year veteran of the Department of Correction. He is a graduate of Jordan High School. Durham Correctional Center is a minimum-custody prison facility housing approximately 200 adult male inmates. Governor Mike Easley has declared May 4-10 as Correctional Officers’ Week in observance of the important public safety work done by more than 10,000 correctional officers in North Carolina’s prisons. Editors: A digital photo of Meeks is available by calling the Public Information Office at 919-716-3700