Beckley Police Department Awards Outstanding Service - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

Beckley Police Department Awards Outstanding Service

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By David Williams - email
Detective Jason McDaniel, 2011 Investigator of the Year. Detective Jason McDaniel, 2011 Investigator of the Year.
BECKLEY -

On Friday, April 14, the Beckley Police Department recognized several officers and civilian employees for their outstanding work with the department in 2011.

Corporal Jamie Wilhite was recognized as the 2011 Patrol Officer of the Year. Wilhite joined the Beckley PD. In March 2006, and since that time has become one of the department's most well-rounded officer.

In addition to being among the department's most productive citation writers, Wilhite is fast to help other officers with anything they need. He has become very active in the Highway Safety Program, and arrested more than 20 DUI's in the year.

Detective Jason McDaniel was named the 2011 Investigator of the Year. McDaniel began working with the department in 1999, and was transferred to the Narcotics Unit in 2006. As part of a nearly 2-year investigation, McDaniel helped spearhead an investigation that resulted in identifying and prosecuting one of the largest marijuana distribution operations on the east coast.

Also in 2011, Detectie McDaniel began an innovative approach to combating prescription drug abuse by meeting with area physicians to educate them on West Virginia State code. This partnership has helped identify those who attempt to illegally obtain prescription drugs before any prescriptions are ever written. In 2011 alone, Detective McDaniel indicted over 112 people on over 200 drug charges.

George Hunter was named the Department's Civilian Employee of the Year. Hunter has worked for the department since 2007, and is always willing to help whenever needed.

The department also issued several Destinguished Service Awards on Friday, honoring those who perform their duties at a high level and maintain an above average standard for the entire year. Those honored with Destinguished Service Awards are Detective Bureau Secretary Dora Gross, Parking Enforcement Officer Robert Crawford, Records Clerk Sandy Lilly, Ptl. David Snuffer, Ptl. Timothy Capehart, Cpl. Joshua Stewart, Cpl. Clark McCormick and Sgt. Frankie Shelton.