A scholarship fund has been set up in memory of Michele Lynn Clayton Hall, a former probation/parole officer in Jackson County. Hall, 24, was killed on July 2, 1995, was killed in a car accident, just hours after her wedding.

In 1993, Hall began working with the community service work program. A year later, she became a probation/parole officer, a dream come true. Friends and co-workers described her as a hard worker and someone who obviously loved their job.

Some of her fellow officers in Division Four wanted to honor her memory, so they initiated the scholarship. "Day, night, seven days a week, Michele would answer any call from a fellow officer," said Brucie Green, a chief probation/parole officer. "She always put others first."

They have been selling pins, mugs and bags to help raise money for the scholarship, which goes to a junior or senior criminal justice major at Hall’s alma mater, Western Carolina University. Interested students must have a 3.0 GPA and fill out an application for approval by the university’s scholarship committee.

If you would like more information on contributing to the scholarship fund, call Western Carolina University at 828-227-7164.

Officer Byrne went looking for an 18-year-old probationer at his girlfriend’s house. He said when asked where the probationer was, she told him asleep in a bedroom. "When I tried to wake him, he was unresponsive and would not talk," said Officer Byrne. Knowing something was wrong, Officer Byrne looked around the room and found an empty prescription bottle.

Officer Byrne rushed the probationer to a hospital emergency room where he received treatment. He was later taken to the Mecklenburg County Jail and placed on suicide watch. According to Officer Byrne, an emergency room doctor felt that if he had not brought the young man to the hospital, he would have died. Officer Byrne said, "I was just doing my job."

The Keep Gastonia Beautiful board of directors and Gastonia Mayor Jennie Stultz presented the officers with a crystal biscuit jar at a reception May 11 at the Schiele museum. The officers also received a Keep Gastonia Beautiful license plate frame.

"I have lost several friends to lung cancer and heart problems that a doctor said smoking was a contributing factor," said Davis. "I just think the health benefits you can get from quitting can have a tremendous impact on someone’s life."

CPPO Diane Isaacs was the first person to receive the reward from Davis this past December. Davis said Isaacs has been smoke-free for two years. He also said that Intensive Officer Darren Davis has been smoke-free for about six months and will get a monetary reward at the district’s Christmas luncheon in December.

"Ms. Andrews is a very skilled and effective nurse," said Durham Supt. David Cates. "Her professionalism and dedication to her job are evident every day. Durham Correctional Center is very fortunate to have her as a part of its medical staff."

Andrews has been a nurse at the facility and with the department for nearly five years. She lives in Durham and has two grown daughters. She expects to become a grandmother this month. When she’s not taking care of patients, Andrews likes to sew and is active in her church.