Author: Kirsten Barber and Meredith Hemphill
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety recognized 43 outstanding employees Dec. 5 during the department’s annual Badge of Excellence Ceremony. The ceremony was held at the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh.
The Badge of Excellence award is the department’s highest honor, recognizing individuals in six categories. Since 2015, the Badge of Excellence has been bestowed on NCDPS employees who have made outstanding contributions to the department, state government and the people of North Carolina in both their professional and personal lives.
Recipients were nominated by their peers and selected by the NCDPS Badge of Excellence Committee, earning awards in the fields of customer service; human relations; innovation and efficiency; outstanding achievement and performance; public service and volunteerism; and safety and heroism.
“Each recipient of this prestigious award represents the department’s values, dedicating themselves to reducing crime, enhancing public safety and selflessly serving the communities they call home,” said NCDPS Secretary Eddie M. Buffaloe Jr. “Their impact reflects their professional dedication and personal commitment to service and helping others both inside and outside of our department.”
NCDPS is proud to recognize the following individuals and teams as recipients of the 2024 Badge of Excellence in their respective categories:
Customer Service
The award for customer service recognizes employees who consistently and significantly demonstrate outstanding customer-focused qualities. These individuals exemplify a positive, respectful, and effective approach to working with others, while also making meaningful contributions to enhancing customer service.
- Group: Spanish Communications and Outreach Team – Minerva Clarke and Karen Quintero (Administration)
This small but mighty team supply translation services to all divisions and sections within NCDPS and engage in outreach activities with Spanish-speaking communities. Their work ensures that Spanish-speaking North Carolinians know what NCDPS does and how they can access the department’s programs and services. - Janel Holmes, administrative clerk (NC National Guard/ Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy)
Holmes does much more than answer phones and file paperwork. She counsels cadets and parents and guardians, often through very difficult and emotional circumstances. Holmes also frequently assists in other sections of the recruiting, placement and mentoring section without ever neglecting her own office duties.
Human Relations
The Badge of Excellence award for human relations honors employees who have made exceptional contributions to enhancing workplace quality, morale and the public image of state government. They consistently set a standard of excellence in human relations and community engagement.
- Karen R. Bailey, telecommunications supervisor (State Highway Patrol)
Bailey was recognized for extraordinary leadership during a challenging transition period for the Salisbury Communications Center. - Group: Human Resources Team – Ashley Minnick and Elizabeth Gray (NC Office of Recovery and Resiliency)
This team volunteered to perform critical functions for Emergency Management when the division lost both members of the HR team at the same time. They completed EM duties all while continuing to work full-time in their positions at NCORR.
Innovation and Efficiency
The Award for Innovation and Efficiency is presented to employees who make significant advancements in work processes or systems, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of operations or units.
- Group: Hazard Mitigation Team – Corey Barber, Christine Botta, John Boudreau, Dalton Canter, Devan Goldstein, Laura Grater, Fred Lewis, Melissa Page, and Jeffrey Polanco (Emergency Management)
This team has worked diligently to design and implement the State Centric Program since it was approved in June 2020. This meant starting a new business model from scratch while continuing to manage multiple ongoing projects. Thanks to this team’s exceptional process design, problem solving, program implementation and public service, the State Centric Program is now completing projects significantly faster. - Nicole Jones, youth services behavioral specialist (Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention)
Jones leads several programs at the detention center where she works, notably Educating Kids in Gun Violence. She also offers certification courses in CPR and First Aid, monthly “paint and create” sessions and therapy dogs to the youth at the center. - Brian McLean, application systems specialist (Emergency Management)
McLean was recognized for developing a modern, web-based accounts payable system that addressed many challenges the NCEM team was facing with the previous antiquated system. - Sidra Owens, internal audit director (Administration)
Owens introduced cutting-edge methodologies and streamlined procedures in the internal audit team; for example, developing automated templates for paperless and standardized processing. She has also been instrumental in ensuring that internal audits are compliant with all federal laws, industry standards and best practices. - Luke Withrow, WebEOC programmer (Emergency Management)
Withrow was recognized for his work building the new WebEOC Event Reporting board and his enhancements to the Organization Profiles board. The Event Reporting board has streamlined how the division’s 24Hr Watch operates by effectively replacing three platforms. - James Yoneoka, contracting specialist (Emergency Management)
Yoneoka is an invaluable asset for his proficiency in managing complex government acquisitions. One of his most notable achievements was developing an agency-specific contract with a tech company for equipment and services that saved the state thousands of dollars.
Outstanding Achievement and Performance
The award for outstanding achievement and performance is presented to employees who consistently go above and beyond expectations, making significant contributions that advance the mission of the department.
- Megan Cordilia Alexander, budget analyst (Emergency Management)
Alexander took on the additional responsibility of managing her team’s portfolio of open Category B projects in 2022. This role involved thousands of hours of reviewing documents, researching financial records and sifting through archives, but thanks to her dedication, EM has been able to submit documentation for Tropical Storm Michael, Hurricane Ian, the COVID Project Worksheet and the Hurricane Florence Project Worksheet. - LaQreshia Bates-Harley, court counselor (Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention)
Bates-Harley excels at motivating and inspiring others, uniting teams, building relationships and making sound decisions. Through her leadership, she instills a belief that when given the right support and opportunities, youth can change and make positive contributions. - James Gay, geodetic field operations chief (Emergency Management)
As part of the Geodetic Survey Section, which creates the geodetic surveys essential for ensuring the accuracy of maps, infrastructure development, land surveying and disaster response planning, Gay has demonstrated extraordinary dedication and leadership in managing the final phase of the GPS on Benchmarks project: a statewide initiative to update the geospatial reference system. - Cassandra Harris-Skinner, deputy director – human resources (Administration)
Harris-Skinner was recognized for her outstanding contributions, particularly her role in creating and supporting the NCDPS Safety Team. - Erin Lewandowski, learning management and development administrator (Administration)
Lewandowski works on the Performance, Training, Data and Analytics team within HR. She was recognized for spearheading the development and rollout of the NC Secure All Firearms Effectively program, or NC S.A.F.E. - Samantha Royster, CERT program manager and coordinator (Emergency Management)
Royster manages the Radiological Emergency Volunteer Corps and has taken on an emerging initiative: the development of CERT Shelter Corps, a program designed to support county sheltering operations. She trains volunteers throughout the state and even coordinated the first Spanish-language CERT training in NC. - Amanda Smith, IT state budget manager (NC National Guard)
Smith supports the Guard’s cyber initiatives logistically and financially behind the scenes, without which the Cyber Security Response Force could not be successful in preparation or reaction to cyber threats. In addition to managing a variable budget, Smith has implemented operational changes to increase efficiency within IT. - James Stanton, Cumberland JDC supervisor, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, is widely recognized throughout the department as one of the top training instructors, completing over 50 hours per year of in-service training for the staff at Cumberland and other facilities across the state.
- Lori Walters, cadre member, NC National Guard/ Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy, is the first to offer a helping hand to both the cadets and staff at the academy. Walters also serves as a firefighter and EMT and is deeply involved in her church.
Public Service and Volunteerism
This award honors employees who have made significant contributions through their involvement in community and public service projects, such as volunteering with non-profit organizations. Their dedication is driven purely by a commitment to service, without expectation of reward or compensation.
- 1st Sgt Brent Hipp (State Highway Patrol)
1st Sgt Hipp has played a major role in fundraising efforts for Special Olympics North Carolina, from participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run to organizing events like polar plunges, 5k glow runs and t-shirt challenges. - Ronald Tillman, youth services behavioral specialist (Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention)
Tillman has been with JJDP since 1997. He is passionate about education, serving on the Richmond County Board of Education since 2016. Tillman is an active participant in his community with decades of volunteerism in multiple organizations and his faith community.
Safety and Heroism
Individuals awarded the Badge of Excellence for safety and heroism demonstrate a commitment to fostering a safe working environment, exercise outstanding judgment in critical situations and show exceptional bravery in emergencies. Whether voluntarily risking their own lives or taking meritorious actions to prevent injury, loss of life, or damage to property, they embody the mission of the department.
- Trp. Matthew Craver (State Highway Patrol)
Trp. Craver witnessed a vehicle merging onto Interstate 77 on the wrong side of the road. Unable to get the driver to stop with his emergency lights, he positioned his patrol car in the path of the vehicle to shield the motorists behind him. The wrong-way driver collided with Trooper Craver’s patrol car, but Trooper Craver nonetheless immediately exited his vehicle to render aid. - Trp. Jeffrey Dunlap (State Highway Patrol)
Trp. Dunlap responded to a call about a stranded motorist. Without warning, the driver took a handgun from the car door and shot Trp. Dunlap at point-blank range. Though injured, he relied on his training and returned fire, escaping the dire situation with his life. - Sgt. David “Ray” Eanes (State Highway Patrol)
Sgt. Eanes was off duty at a grocery store when he heard a call for help in the parking lot. He discovered a man having a medical emergency and immediately began CPR while he directed one bystander to call 911 and another to retrieve an AED from the store. Sgt. Eanes administered the AED and continued CPR until the Fire Department arrived and took over. - Trp. Ryan Lambert (State Highway Patrol)
Trp. Lambert responded to a request for assistance from the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office in locating an individual involved in the shooting of his mother, sister and brother. Officers gathered at a residence where the suspect’s cell phone was pinging. They encountered the suspect hiding behind a car. The suspect drew a weapon and shot Capt. Ellis of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. Trp. Lambert quickly returned fire, allowing other officers to remove Capt. Ellis to safety, saving his life. - Mark “Tyler” Pearce, special agent (Alcohol Law Enforcement)
SA Pearce is a certified EMT and serves as a medic on ALE’s Special Operations Group. While conducting ABC inspections, he heard a radio dispatch calling for EMS to respond to a possible cardiac arrest nearby. SA Pearce immediately proceeded to the scene, arriving at the same time as EMS, and assisted with CPR and monitoring vital signs. His rapid response and skilled intervention were instrumental in saving this patient’s life. - Trp. Darius Purdie (State Highway Patrol)
Trp. Purdie received an urgent notification about a serious vehicle collision with injuries at 5:17 a.m. Although not yet scheduled to start his shift, Trp. Purdie clocked in early and proceeded to the scene. He found a vehicle in a ditch with an unresponsive driver. Trp. Purdie radioed for emergency medical assistance, and then enlisted the help of the neighbor who reported the collision to carefully remove the driver from the vehicle. He administered CPR until another emergency responders arrived. The driver was successfully resuscitated. - Trp. John Smith (State Highway Patrol)
Trp. Smith was contacted about a cardiac arrest at a residence near his home. Although off duty, Trp. Smith jumped in his patrol car to help his neighbor. Once he arrived at the residence, Trp. Smith located the individual in need and retrieved his patrol-issued AED. He deployed the device and continued CPR together with the patient’s family member until paramedics arrived. - Trp. Jacob Strickland (State Highway Patrol)
Trp. Strickland responded to a distress call about a collision in a church parking lot in Edgecombe County. He discovered that a vehicle had crashed into the church, both were on fire and the driver was still trapped in the car. Trp. Strickland commandeered a nearby firetruck and used it to tow the burning car away from the church. Then, despite the intense heat and flames, Trp. Strickland pulled the driver from the wreckage and carried them to safety. Trp. Strickland sustained minor injuries but ultimately saved the driver’s life. - Group: Troopers Kelby R. Casey, Justin C. Hubbard, Alexander W. Lawrence and Dakota C. Marsh (State Highway Patrol)
On May 31, 2023, Troopers Casey, Hubbard, Lawrence and Marsh responded to assist the Davidson County Sheriff's Office in a domestic dispute involving a shooting. After hearing gunshots at the scene, the troopers selflessly ran into the line of fire to help a Sheriff's Office Lieutenant who had been shot and keep the suspect in the same location until a tactical team arrived.
Congratulations to all award recipients.