The Beaufort County Police Activities League fundraising dinner and dance draws a diverse crowd — law enforcement, first responders, retired military, nonprofit volunteers, business owners, educators, pastors and the average citizen. This year was no exception. But on Nov. 7, the Washington Civic Center was packed to capacity, there to witness a bit of PAL history at the first awards ceremony recognizing those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty as officers of the law or first responders.

“From the stage, it was absolutely phenomenal to look across that crowd and see the diverse range of individuals in that room,” said Al Powell, BC PAL president and former FBI counterterrorism crew chief. “It says a lot for the county.”

Powell came up with the idea of the awards, as a derivative of the PAL mission. While PAL’s main focus is on exposing children to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) activities and STEM career paths, another goal is to narrow the perceived gap between law enforcement, first responders and the people they serve — an example, promoting positive relationships through events like the highly attended First Responders Day at Washington Warren Field.

Powell said he approached local departments about the possibility of an awards ceremony .

“They were super, super supportive,” Powell said. “They said, ‘Let’s make it even more community-based and have a promotion program where the community nominates people for the award.’”

It wasn’t enough to ask law enforcement and first responders to participate in nominations. According to Powell, those officials had a different idea — rather than ask for nominations from the departments, why not ask the community to nominate law enforcement officers and first responders whose actions have proven their dedication to both their service and the people they serve?

In the wake of an increasing amount of negative episodes between law enforcement and the greater community — Ferguson, Missouri and Baltimore, Maryland, the most prevalent — many departments are being proactive, making efforts to form better connections with those they serve in an attempt to curtail such events from happening locally, Powell said. The first responders awards are a two-fold opportunity to create those connections: by rewarding actions that set an example of compassion, care and going above and beyond duty, while showing residents their input is heard and has the ability to set a standard impacting future interactions, he said.

“(It shows) this is acceptable and the type of behavior the community expects from you,” Powell said.

Powell said he believed the response was good for a first-time program, as evidenced by nominations and the number of people who came to the PAL fundraiser where the awards were handed out.

“Because of the feedback we’ve gotten, some of which has been very emotional in a positive way, we intend to make it ongoing part of the PAL dinner/dance,” Powell said.

Awards were broken down into four categories: Law Enforcement Officer of the Year (large department); Law Enforcement Officer of the Year (small department); First Responder Community Service Award (large department); and First Responder Community Service Award (small department). A panel of five people, none of which work in the law enforcement or first responder fields, selected the winners in each category, Powell said.

The winners are as follows:

First Responder Community Service Award (small department)

There were two winners in this category in the awards ceremony’s inaugural year:

Christine Jones, a volunteer with Aurora Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, and Chocowinity Fire and Rescue departments.

Jones was nominated not only because of her work with the Aurora fire and rescue squads, but for the amount of time and energy she volunteers in the community, especially with the children of S.W. Snowden Elementary School.

“She is always willing to help a child in need in our community. She quietly sees the need and fills it many times without anyone knowing. She is everyone’s “Auntie” and gives her whole heart to the children in our community.  She goes above and beyond the call of duty sacrificing her sleep and her own personal time to go on field trips, help with activities at school, help with the PTO and attend afterschool meetings,” reads one nomination; while another stated, “She has been very active in educating our children in fire safety. She greatly deserves recognition for her selfless efforts to enrich the lives in her community! … Ms. Jones is an enthusiastic and tireless volunteer. Her investment in children and our school community is appreciated throughout the town of Aurora and surrounding areas.”

Chocowinity Fire/EMS received several nominations — one for the quick actions that saved the life of former Beaufort County Sheriff Alan Jordan after his Aug. 9 motorcycle accident, and another for their response both during and after a Chocowinity man’s medical emergency.

“The three men and one woman who responded to the call were professional, competent, reassuring and compassionate,” the nomination reads. The woman, whose husband was suffering from a severe hypoglycemic episode, said first responders spoke reassuringly to them and kept them calm while treating and transporting the man to Vidant Beaufort Hospital. But, she said, their care did not end once the task was completed.

“After transporting my husband to the hospital, one of the crewmembers told me to call if I needed help getting my husband back into the house after he was released from the emergency room. Sure enough, I did need help and two of the crewmembers returned in the early morning hours to help us. I don’t know what we would have done without them.”

First Responder Community Service Award (large department)

Beaufort County telecommunications supervisor Crystal Marriner was selected for this award for her actions the night of Aug. 9, when former Beaufort County Sheriff Alan Jordan was hit by a Ford F-350 while riding his motorcycle on N.C. Highway 33. Jordan lost his left leg above the knee as a result of the accident, but would have lost his life if not for Chocowinity EMS paramedics and the quick actions of Marriner, who took the 911 call.

“Crystal took the call and quickly coordinated Fire/EMS and East Care to ensure the best possible outcome for Sheriff Jordan. (She) exceeded duties by anticipating responder needs before being requested. This included obtaining MEDEVAC, which likely saved (Jordan’s) life,” reads a summary of the nomination. “Crystal instinctively requested East Care, knowing the seriousness of the accident. Without the teamwork between Communications, Chocowinity Fire and EMS, Sheriff Jordan would likely not have survived his accident.”

Law Enforcement Officer of the Year (small department)

This award went to Natalie Perez Voliva, an officer with Beaufort County Community College’s police department. Voliva is a graduate of BCCC’s Basic Law Enforcement Training and has made a name for herself for going out of her way to educate students and staff about emergency response, always going about her duties with friendly and helpful attitude, reads Voliva’s nomination.

“She is confident in her skills and is a real people person. She will go the extra mile to get someone an answer to a question posed then go on with her duties,” it reads.

“Natalie Voliva is a strong role model for students at BCCC and she has earned her place in the police department. Faculty and staff look to her and other officers in time of need. She puts a personal touch in everything she does.”

Law Enforcement Officer of the Year (large department)

Washington Police Department Patrol Officer Chad Spinner received this award for his actions preceding tragedy on July 10. That night, a call came in to department of “suspicious activity.” Spinner went to the scene where he found Shaniqua Wallace, upset, saying she was concerned that her boyfriend would return to the East 13^th Street home. Spinner contacted Ruth’s House, the local domestic violence shelter, and waited for authorization to take Wallace there. Hours later Jaquay Omestic Bernard Hill, 25, did return to the residence with a shotgun and killed Wallace’s mother, Blondell Green, 57, before taking his own life. Spinner’s intervention saved Wallace’s life, his nomination said.

“Due to Officer Spinner’s diligence and caring, I feel he was personally responsible for saving Ms. Wallace’s life that evening. He took the time to ensure her safety when others would have simply provided her with directions to the Magistrates’ Office. Officer Spinner reflected great credit upon himself, the Washington Police Department and his chosen profession.”