The Bennettsville Police Department held its annual award ceremony and recognition on May 20. From left is Patrol Officer of the Year Melvin Dease; Sgt. Robert Hale presented the Letter of Commendation for the Patrol Division; Officer of the Year and Lt. Leonard Frazier Award of Excellence winner Lt. Sammy Crosland; Staff Sgt. Elaine German received a Letter of Commendation; Supervisor of the Year Lt. Tim Hood; and Detective of the Year De’Aron Smith.
Lt. Sammy Crosland was named Officer of the Year for the Bennettsville Police Department. Police Chief Kevin Miller presented the award to Crosland on May 20.
Lt. Sammy Crosland presented a letter of commendation to the Bennettsville Patrol Division. From left are Sgt. Bowen, Officer Smith, Cpl. Brigman, Staff Sgt. German, Sgt. Hale, Officer Bulusan, Lt. Crosland, Officer Rivers, Officer Dease, Cpl. Kessler, Sgt. Rhames, Cpl. Moore, and Officer Cox.
Administrative staff members Barbara Baker and Talisha McCall were recognized by the department for their service.
As part of National Police Week on May 20, the Bennettsville Police Department held its annual award ceremony and recognition.
Chief Kevin Miller feels that over the last year the core of the police department has really been exposed. He told the officers at the event that they were the glue that held the department together.
“There are officers here who are extremely overworked in an understaffed environment,” he said. “I just want you to know the council has supported us in trying to get back on track. It’s not going to last forever. Things eventually will get better here.”
Miller talked about an African proverb that said rain doesn’t fall on one roof alone. “This means there are a lot of other places that have the same problems,” he said. “But we’re going to get through this. The rain will eventually stop. The storm will go away, and we’ll come out on top on this thing.”
Officers were recognized in specific divisions as well as the announcement of an overall officer of the year.
Lt. Sammy Crosland was named Officer of the Year. Crosland said patrol was all he knew, and he had been there for 24 years.
“All I want to do is strive to be better than who I am every day,” he said. “For the guys that have to do 20 years of service to retire, it’s going to get tough. You’ve got to weather that storm because it’s going to get tough. I admire your tenacity and strength and courage to get out and do a job that nobody doesn’t want to do.”
Crosland also received the Lt. Leonard Frazier Award of Excellence.
Assistant Chief Greg Williams said they wanted to give the award to someone who embodied everything that Lt. Frazier was about.
“I think we picked someone this year who can’t come close to him, but he came close,” Williams said.
Crosland said BPD has been home for him since 1998. “I never thought about putting in for a job nowhere,” Crosland said. “The Patrol division has been the only thing I have thought about since I’ve been at the BPD.”
Patrol Officer of the Year was Officer Melvin Dease. Miller said he cannot say enough good things about Dease. “He is in the community,” Miller said. “Everyone knows Melvin. Melvin comes from the old school. He’s a true beat cop.”
Dease will be retiring on June 16.
Dease said it has been his absolute honor, privilege, and pleasure to serve the citizens, and the Police Department. “I’ve made a lot of good friends in the community and met some extremely wonderful officers, some with a lot of potential and some who helped me see my potential. “I am going to miss you guys in here and out there. Good bad and otherwise.”
Supervisor of the Year was Lt. Tim Hood.
Miller said Hood put in 100% every single day he shows up. “I don’t know how this place would function without him,” Miller said.
Hood said he appreciated everybody that nominated him to get the award.
“This speaks highly of you guys and says I do a good job,” Hood said. “Yes, I give 100% because that’s my job.”
Detective of the Year was De’Aron Smith.
Miller said he saw so much potential in him and he wanted to put him on a track where he knew he would be successful in. “When he hits the ball, he knocks it out of the park,” Lt. Shaw Lucas said about Smith. “He is a workhorse.”
Miller thanked city council members for being there for the Bennettsville police department. Recently, council members unanimously passed a recruitment and incentives package for the department. “I have never worked with a council that has been more supportive of this police department than now,” Miller said.
Administrative staff members Barbara Baker and Talisha McCall were recognized by the department for their service.
“These two are the real cerebral brain of this place,” Miller said. “They make sure that the doors stay open, and the phones don’t ring off the hooks.” Staff Sergeant Elaine German received a Letter of Commendation for saving a man’s life. She had found him lying in the back of the parking lot of the Community Kitchen on Liberty Street. The man had a stroke. “And he very easily could have lost his life if Staff Sergeant German wasn’t doing her job and patrolling the streets,” Miller said.
Crosland presented a letter of commendation to the Patrol Division.
“I applaud all your efforts and admire all your determination to strive and enhance your knowledge in the field of law enforcement. Thank you for your service and for being a part of this community. All your hard work does not go unnoticed,” Crosland said.
Miller recognized officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty in South Carolina in 2021.
Walmart Manager Tracy Smith and staff made a special presentation to the department in honor of National Police Week. They presented them with a grill, some accessories, condiments, and a certificate of recognition.