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2002 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 213
Commending the volunteers from the Norfolk Police Department.

Agreed to by the Senate, February 7, 2002
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 9, 2002

WHEREAS, on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, the United States was the target of a terrorist attack that killed, maimed, and otherwise injured thousands of American citizens and visitors from other nations in New York City, Pennsylvania, and Arlington, Virginia, at the Pentagon; and

WHEREAS, 40 officers of the Norfolk Police Department and a retired North Carolina State Trooper volunteered to offer assistance and support to on-scene emergency agencies in New York City without pay and using their own earned vacation time; and

WHEREAS, this contingent of Norfolk police officers joined the local New York forces at "ground zero" in the bucket brigade removing rubble and recovering the remains of victims, including New York City firemen; and

WHEREAS, the Norfolk police officers also provided security at various locations, including the United Nations building, the Immigration and Naturalization building, and the Bereavement Center; carried out foot and car patrols in the 6th Precinct around "ground zero"; relieved New York City police officers; helped in the unloading of emergency materials; and performed other assigned tasks; and

WHEREAS, the police volunteers from the Norfolk Police Department effectively carried out their assigned tasks with high energy, safety, compassion, and professionalism; and

WHEREAS, among the 41 volunteers, from the Detective Division, were: Sergeant Harry Twiford, Investigator David Goldberg (coordinator and organizer), Investigator Dawn Cando, Investigator John Miller, Investigator Larry Hand, Investigator John (Matt) Tolson, Investigator Robert Douros, Investigator Ransom Wensel, Investigator Melodie Joseph, Investigator Randy Crank, Investigator Mark Heckman, Investigator William Ross III, Investigator Edward (Lee) Martin, Jr., and Investigator Artie Kay; and

WHEREAS, from the First Patrol Division, the volunteers were Corporal Donald Launder, Officer Fouina Mauga, Officer Richard Scarola, Officer Mark Railling, Officer Joseph Briggs, Officer Grady Erwin, and Officer Rodrick Cosca; and from the Second Patrol Division, Sergeant Donald Burns, Officer Jeffery Clifton, and Officer Rosemarie Gurdon; and

WHEREAS, from the Vice/Narcotics/SOT Division, Corporal Stan Rybaczuk, Investigator Thomas Springer, Investigator Christopher Scallon, Investigator Raoul Alvarez, and Investigator Maurice Joseph; from SED/Metro Tactical, Officer Miles Warren, Officer Edward Kavanagh, and Investigator Richard Deleo; from the Central Records Division, Officer James Saunders; and

WHEREAS, volunteers from the First Patrol Division/Bike Patrol were Corporal David Huffman, Officer William Thompson, Officer Dave White, Officer James White, Officer Gerald Dalina, Officer Brian Lee, and Officer Leldon Sapp; and

WHEREAS, these volunteer Norfolk police officers, along with North Carolina State Trooper (retired) Fahey Bunch, returned to their homes on September 26, 2001; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby recognize the volunteers from the Norfolk Police Department for their outstanding response in the aftermath of the tragic terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City and for their professionalism in accomplishing their mission; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the City of Norfolk as an expression of the high esteem in which these police officers are held by the members of the General Assembly and the people of Virginia.