South Raleigh News

Attorney General Josh Stein honored seven North Carolinians from the Triad area with the Attorney General’s Dogwood Award. The awards recognize individuals working to improve the health, safety, and well-being of their communities.

Chief William Penn of the Winston-Salem Police Department was one of the recipients. “The Winston-Salem Police Department has worked tirelessly on behalf of victims and survivors of sexual assault,” said Stein. He noted that the department completed testing all 900 older untested sexual kits, which helped end the state’s backlog in April. Chief Penn expressed gratitude to his team for their commitment to community safety.

Chief John Thompson of the Greensboro Police Department was also honored. Stein praised his efforts to attract and retain public-spirited law enforcement officers. Chief Thompson acknowledged his team's dedication to keeping the community safe and thanked Stein and other supporters.

Donna Bledsoe, principal of Cedar Ridge Elementary School in Lowgap, received recognition for her work in education. “Preparing our young people for success is meaningful and important work,” said Stein. Bledsoe emphasized her commitment to strong public schools as essential for strong communities.

Will Marrs, a teacher at Davie County High School, was awarded for his dedication to education. “Public school educators work tirelessly,” said Stein. Marrs expressed humility in receiving the award and highlighted the importance of hands-on learning in classrooms.

Rep. John Faircloth was recognized for his efforts to support law enforcement officers throughout his career. “I was proud to work alongside Rep. Faircloth,” said Stein. Faircloth reiterated his focus on community safety during his tenure.

The Behavioral Evaluation and Response (B.E.A.R.) Team from Winston-Salem Fire Department was honored for providing mental health crisis intervention services. “The B.E.A.R. Team is providing comfort to people experiencing crises,” said Stein. Kristin Ryan, director of B.E.A.R., shared this honor with her team.

Lastly, the Reidsville Police Department received an award for their efforts against drug activity, particularly a significant fentanyl bust. “The fentanyl crisis continues to devastate North Carolina,” said Stein, commending Chief Robert Ray Gibson’s leadership.

Photos from today’s awards ceremony are available online.

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