By Sue Schultz
The News & Record (Greensboro, NC)
March 28, 2001
(Greenboro, NC) -Paul Lessard, executive director of the High Point Community Foundation said Tuesday night that role models are hard to find. But officer Travis Stroud was recognized as one of the remaining few.
An officer for six years, Stroud works with the High Point Police Narcotics Division to get drugs off the city’s streets.
''Every bit of drugs I help get off the street is one less thing that will get into my daughter’s hands,’' Stroud said.
Tuesday night, Stroud was named High Point Police Officer of the Year by the police department. Stroud joined the force in 1995 and initially served as a patrol officer. In addition to his work with narcotics, Stroud is a member of the tactical team and the hostage rescue unit.
Stroud said while he was singled out as an individual for the award, he owed a great deal to his fellow officers as a team.
''Alone you will fall, but together when we stand, we can be strong,’' Stroud said. ''I’m part of a team and I’m thankful to my fellow officers on the street that keep me alive.’'
Police Chief Louis Quijas said he was unaware of the identity of the Officer of the Year until he unwrapped the plaque at the podium and awarded it to the recipient.
''Officer of the Year is someone recognized by their peers for outstanding service,’' Quijas said. ''The Officer of the Year serves as an example for their fellow officers and also for the community.’'
Lessard said that in an age where role models are hard to find, High Point police officers are willing to step up and serve as examples for society. Both active and retired police officers and city officials attended the ceremony.
''These are enlightened officers,’' Lessard said. ''Enlightened officers are the connective glue that keeps a community together.’'
Other candidates nominated for the award included:
Louis Dean Bowman, a sniper for the department’s tactical team, a member of the U.S. Marshal’s Violent Fugitive Task Force and an officer in High Point for 12 years.
George A. Ferguson III, a member of the hostage negotiation unit, an officer in the Administration Division/Training Unit and an officer for eight years.
Sandra Lee Vuncannon, a detective in the financial crimes division, a certified document examiner in handwriting analysis and an officer for more than 20 years.
The department also recognized Paul Burleson as the reserve officer of the year.
Burleson, a self-employed contractor in High Point, has been a reserve officer, a volunteer who perform the duties of a regular officer, for the past 12 years.
''I do whatever is needed from directing traffic and being on the scene of hostage negotiation situations to answering telephones,’' Burleson said.
Presenting the award to Burleson, Quijas referred to the reserve officers as the ''real citizens’’ on the police force.
''Most of these people have other jobs and could be at home,’' Quijas said. ''But they are out there risking their lives with the rest of us.’'
Robyn Lee, the coordinator for the Crime Stoppers hotline in High Point received the Brooks Perpetual Award, given to a police civilian employee. Lee has served as the coordinator for the hotline for almost 18 months and acts as a liaison between the tipsters and the police.
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