A MESSAGE FROM SHERIFF BARON | | |
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Thank you for the work you do each and every day. You’ve heard me say it before, but it bears repeating…you are valued and you are appreciated.
I hope each of you have had an opportunity to stop by the Renova Center for your intake appointment. If you haven’t done so yet, I encourage you to schedule your intake appointment and start taking advantage of the services they offer including massages, chiropractor appointments, float sessions, workout facility, and so much more! For those of you who have been taking advantage of this new benefit, we hope you are enjoying it.
The past couple of months have been busy for us and the summer months are filling up quickly. Thank you to everyone involved in these events and to all of you who remain committed to making a positive difference in the lives of those in our community and those in our care.
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SPECIAL OLYMPICS LITTLE FEET MEET | |
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On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, NSO joined representatives from VBPD and ODU PD for a Special Olympics and Norfolk Public Schools' "Little Feet Meet" at S.B. Ballard Stadium on the campus of Old Dominion University. Little Feet Meets invite preschool through elementary children (with and without intellectual disabilities) to show their sporting skills in front of cheering students, parents, and teachers.
During the event, Lt. Col. Handley carried the torch alongside Isaiah, a student participant, and law enforcement personnel from each of the attending agencies. After the opening ceremonies, agency personnel visited with participants and helped out at event stations.
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April is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month and we were honored to join Norfolk Department of Human Services and other agencies for the 2023 Walk for Awareness on April 4, 2023 in Downtown Norfolk. The walk began at the Department of Human Services office and concluded in front of Norfolk City Hall with a proclamation reading by Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander and the planting of a pinwheel garden.
Throughout the month of April you may have seen blue pinwheels spinning in various parts of Norfolk, including in front of the Norfolk Sheriff's Office Administration Building and the Norfolk City Jail. The pinwheel displays are a small way to show our commitment to standing up against child abuse and neglect.
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PUBLIC SAFETY NIGHT WITH THE TIDES | |
On April 4, 2023, the Norfolk Tides kicked off their 30th season with a Public Safety Night welcoming first responders from around the region. During opening ceremonies, the Norfolk Sheriff's Office Honor Guard joined Honor Guard units from agencies around Hampton Roads in salute of all the first responders who risk their lives each and every day. Sergeant M. Mitchell sang the National Anthem and did an absolutely amazing job. It was a beautiful night at the ballpark! | |
CAREER DAYS AND CAMP HOPE EVENTS | |  |
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The NSO Community Affairs Division had a busy end to the school year with a number of Career Day events at Norfolk Public Schools. Additionally, they continued to hold monthly Camp Hope events with Camp Hope participants. Thank you to Community Affairs for your hard work, dedication, and the time you give to our community. | |
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Congratulations to Sergeant B. Hines and Senior Deputy J. Wright who recently completed the Leadership course and received their certificate of completion during the Staff Awards on May 15, 2023.
Thank you for participating in our leadership class!
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Happy Retirement to Evelyn Pena from Classification who retired after more than 23 years of service as an inmate classification specialist with the Norfolk Sheriff's Office.
Thank you, Evelyn!
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Congratulations to Human Resources Manager Valarie Skinner who was recognized for 5 years of service to the Norfolk Sheriff's Office. Prior to joining the NSO Family, Valarie worked for the City of Norfolk for 39 years!
Thank you for your service, Ms. Val!
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Congratulations to Deputy Leon Brown who was awarded a Continuous Service Certificate for 5 years of service to the NSO.
Thank you, Deputy Brown!
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CELEBRATING OUR EMPLOYEES! | |
WE HAVE A LOT TO CELEBRATE! | |
Congratulations to Deputy John Herr who was named as the Norfolk Consolidated Courts Employee of the Month of April! | |
Congratulations to Deputy James Pratt was was named at the Norfolk Consolidated Courts Employee of the Month for May! | |
Congratulations to Sgt. T. Todd, Fred Little, Master Deputy R. Wamsley, and Master Deputy J. Drowns for completing their forklift certification through Tidewater Community College. Not only can they drive them, but they are also now certified to train others in driving a forklift. | |
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Congratulations to Master Deputy S. O'Brien who was selected as the Deputy of the First Quarter 2023!
In addition to the Deputy of the First Quarter Award, Master Deputy O'Brien also received the Lifesaving and Meritorious Award for her actions on March 3, 2023 when she administered Narcan and sternum rubs to a man in the Public Safety Building, helping to save his life.
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Congratulations to Health & Wellness Coordinator K. Bean who was selected as the Civilian of the First Quarter 2023! | | | |
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Kudos to Deputy L. Brown and Sgt. R. Cleek for their quick response after learning narcotics had been smuggled into the jail. They quickly identified the source, activated K-9 teams, and organized and executed cell searches. And within 13 hours from the time they were notified, all of the drugs were recovered and eradicated.
Both Deputy Brown and Sgt. Cleek were awarded the Meritorious Performance Award for their efforts!
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Congratulations to Lt. T. Glaser who completed the VSI Certification Program and was recognized during the Spring VSI Conference in April. | |
Congratulations to Deputy R. Moore who was recognized as the Deputy of the Year by VFW Auxiliary Post 3160 Norfolk during their Civic Awards Ceremony and by VFW Post 4809 during their Community Activities Award Program. | | |
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Congratulations to Sgt. K. Meacom who hit a hole-in-one during Sheriff Baron’s Annual Golf Tournament in May. She made the 123-yard shot using a pitching wedge at the 15th hole at the Ocean View Golf Course. | |
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After seeing another local agency receive an Operation Gratitude delivery, Deputy Pilkington reached out to the team at Operation Gratitude to see if the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office was able to receive a delivery, as well.
Operation Gratitude was happy to oblige and send goodie bags for sworn and civilian employees of the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office. These bags contained paracord bracelets, trail mix, candy, 5-hour energy drinks, and much more. These goodie bags are a small way Operation Gratitude show their appreciation and boost morale for law enforcement agencies around the country. We hope you all enjoyed the bags and would like to say thank you to Deputy Pilkington for making this delivery possible.
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CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES! | |
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Sergeant Maggie Mitchell graduated on May 6th from Regent University with a Master’s Degree in Divinity and Chaplaincy.
Hats off to you, and thank you for continuing to make your NSO Team proud!
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Dr. Erin Topalian, MEDIKO Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, graduated with her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Old Dominion University!
A surprise party was held with pizza, cake, flowers, and a visit from Sheriff Baron to personally congratulate her!
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Congratulations to the graduates of the 71st Session. On May 11th during a ceremony at Nauticus’ Brock Theater we celebrated the successful completion of the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office Academy by the 15 recruits of the 71st Session.
During the ceremony the recruits and attendees heard remarks from Sheriff Joe Baron and former Police Chief Mike Goldsmith. The recruits family members were on-hand to pin the badges on the recruits and they were sworn in by the Honorable George Schaefer.
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GIVING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY | |
RELAY FOR LIFE TEAM MAKES SIZEABLE DONATION TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | |
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The NSO Relay for Life team proudly donated $21,000 to the American Cancer Society. The funds were raised through various fundraisers such as No Shave, Shades of Awareness, Halloween bake sale, and a yearly bowling tournament.
The check was presented to Laura Fien with the American Cancer Society and was featured on News Channel 3.
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LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN KICKOFF | |
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On May 24, Sheriff Baron, who serves as the State Chairman for Special Olympics Virginia (SOVA), NSO command staff, Sgt. M. Mitchell, Master Deputy C. Wells, and our Honor Guard attended the Law Enforcement Torch Run Kick-Off. The luncheon was held at ODU and provided a celebratory jump start to the Law Enforcement Torch Run and commended efforts put forth by law enforcement agencies through participation in fundraisers and events such as the Polar Plunge, Wawa with the Law, Little Feet Meets, and of course, the Torch Run.
The partnership between law enforcement and Special Olympics optimizes what service to our communities should look like. Staff in attendance even had a chance to meet local Special Olympics Virginia athlete, Kaitlin Dykes, who was named the Athlete of the Year!
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That's a wrap on LEC for the year | | |
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For the past five years NSO has teamed up with the Life Enrichment Center to provide weekly, one-on-one tutoring with local children attending Norfolk Title I Schools.
This program runs from October-May, following our mission of public service and public trust by impacting the lives of children and building a brighter future for Hampton Roads communities.
Interested in tutoring this fall? Contact Julia Dunn, Community Affairs
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Norfolk Christian vs. Norfolk Collegiate
Corporal D.J. Brown coaches the Norfolk Collegiate High School Varsity Baseball team and Master Deputy Anthony Burchette coaches the Norfolk Christian High School Varsity Baseball team. The two teams have faced off twice in the past several months.
On April 6, 2023 Norfolk Collegiate won the game 4-1 over Norfolk Christian. And on May 5, 2023 Norfolk Christian walked away with the win following an 8-3 lead over Norfolk Collegiate.
Congratulations to both teams!
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This year’s National Peace Officers Memorial Day was observed on May 18th in the courtyard of the MacArthur Memorial. This special recognition pays tribute to law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. The City of Norfolk, the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office, and the Norfolk Police Department were among those in attendance in remembering those killed in the line of duty and who made the ultimate sacrifice in our profession. | |
National Correctional Officer's Week
We hope the jail teams enjoyed the pizza provided during National Correctional Officer's Week, May 7-13.
We truly appreciate your service to others and your commitment to those in our care.
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[email protected].
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