By Timothy Kelley, The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), Special to the Suffolk Sun

The Suffolk Police Department recently awarded police personnel and citizens for their work in law enforcement and public safety over the past year.

“Hard work and steadfast resolve to duty are trademarks of our officers and personnel. Congratulations to all award winners for going above and beyond,” police Chief Thomas Bennett said at the annual awards ceremony.

Officer Kenneth Cross is the Officer of the Year. His efforts on several investigations enabled the incidents to be successfully cleared with a suspect’s arrest.

“His efforts, among other things, led to the arrest of a robbery suspect and a burglary suspect,” Lt. Robert Ross said in his nomination. “Officer Cross actively seeks out additional responsibilities within the department and is an asset to the organization.”

Officer Cross joined the department in February 2008. He is married to Sharmeen Cross who works as a caretaker with Suffolk Animal Control. They have three children.

Sgt. Timothy Smith has been chosen Department Supervisor of the Year. As supervisor of the Neighborhood Enforcement Team South, Sgt. Smith’s team has been directly responsible for the dismantling of the Lloyd Street Gang, 5 Money Mafia, Lake Kennedy Posse and Hoffler Girls.

NET South has obtained 26 gang participation charges resulting in 15 gang-related search warrants and multiple other felonious offenses.

Smith has been with the department since Oct. 1, 2004. He was recently married to his wife Brandi.

Emergency communications operator supervisor Nicole Duncan has been selected Emergency Communications Operator of the Year. Duncan is being honored for her overall work and dedication to the Emergency Operations Center.

“ECOS Duncan maintains a professional and efficient center at all times and is well respected by everyone she works with both as a leader and a fellow ECO,” Sgt. Sandra Springle said. “She promotes professional growth by promoting and offering training opportunities to her employees along with positive reinforcement and guidance.”

Duncan was hired in July 1991. She has been married to Suffolk police Lt. Timothy Duncan for 20 years. They have two children.

Emergency communications call taker KaSandra Baker was given the police department’s Life Saving Award.

Baker received a call in reference to an individual that had possibly overdosed and was not breathing Oct. 9. She took control of the call, trying to calm the distraught caller. Baker attempted to provide step by step instructions to the caller when the line was disconnected. She re-established the connection and continued to reassure the caller “he was the victim’s heartbeat” and that he was doing a good job.

Call taker Baker walked the caller through the steps of CPR and continued until rescue units arrived.

“I feel that call taker Baker is worthy of this award because she proved she was a vital link to the life of the patient,” communications operator Brandee Davenport said.

Baker is a Suffolk native who has been employed by the department since May. She has been married to Klamente Baker for 12 years. They have three children.

Officer Lamont Greer has also been honored with the department’s Life Saving Award.

Officer Greer responded to a cardiac arrest call involving a subject that had become ill and lost consciousness March 15. Greer took immediate action and began to use his automated external defibrillator and performed CPR.

Due to Greer’s immediate action, the victim was revived and breathing on his own.

Greer joined the department in September 2007. He has two children.

The following were given citizen awards at the annual dinner:

Allen Beamon, Joycelyn Boone, Bruce Brown, Capt. James Broglin with Suffolk Fire and Rescue, Bonita Cunningham, John Dozier Jr., Tiffany Faw, interim media and community relations manager Tim Kelley, Steve Latham, Julius Martin, Andrea Mason, Opal McCleod, Mac Theodore Scott and Matthew Shelton.

Employees receiving department commendations were:

KaSandra Baker, detective Sgt. Alfred Chandler, officer Eric Crawley, Brandee Davenport, Lt. Timothy Davenport Sr., Sgt. Jesse Epperson, officer Robert Fahrman, officer Cassandra Garvin, Erin Hughes, Paul Hutta, officer Steven Ireland, officer Phillip Johnson, Sgt. Isaac Lopez, Jason Lyons, Detective Christopher Scherer, Del Shannon, officer Nicholas Walker, Jasper Whitehead and Tyson Wild.

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