Department Celebrates 40^th Anniversary and Honors Officers

     The Cramerton Police Department held its first awards banquet on Wednesday, December 27^th at Cramer Mountain Country Club.  The event was planned to honor officers who had gone above and beyond their duty assignments during 2006 and to celebrate the department’s 40^th anniversary which will occur in 2007.

     Cramerton Mayor, Ronald G. Murphy, and Town Manager, Michael C. Peoples both spoke to officers and their families at the event.  Chief Greg Ratchford, Deputy Chief Rodney Robinson and Captain Chris Baxter presented commendation awards to officers and gave out service awards.  Retired Police Major Tony Branch and Retired Police Officer Reserve Sam Ratchford were presented with special awards to commemorate their service to the department and the Town of Cramerton.  Retired Cramerton Police Chief and current Police Officer Reserve M. David Young was presented with the department’s 30 Year Service Medal for his contributions to the department.

     Officer Corey Debbold was presented with the department’s Officer of the Year Award and Officer Steve Lackey was presented with the department’s Reserve Officer of the Year Award.  Officer Neill Jones received the department’s DWI Enforcement Award and Reserve Officer Jason Howell was recognized as the department “Top Gun” in firearms.

     “The banquet was planned to put special emphasis on the accomplishments of these officers throughout the year.  It was an opportunity for each member of the department and their families to spend time together and see that the department truly recognizes the work they do and the sacrifices that the officer and their family makes and are prepared to make each day that officer comes to work” said Chief Greg Ratchford.  “The meal, the awards, the words that were spoken at the banquet were all about the officer. Not about myself, the other command staff or anyone else.  Making sure the officers realize that we appreciate it every time they put that uniform on and come to work not knowing whether or not they will get to go back home to their families is what it is all about” Ratchford said.

     A cake with the department’s logo was unveiled at the end of the night to recognize the department’s 40^th anniversary.  The department was organized and began operation in 1967.  A public reception to commemorate the anniversary is planned for February 22, 2007 at the Board of Commissioner’s Workshop.