We have created this section in order to shine a positive light on those Bureau employees whose actions serve as examples of grace under pressure.  Whether it's giving childbirth instructions over the phone, dispatching multiple agencies in time of severe weather, or coordinating notifications and radio and phone-related duties during critical incidents, to name but a few examples, their professionalism and performance will serve as an inspiration to those who dedicate their lives to public service.

Our current commendations go out to the following employees -

• Sergeant Joe Demark

Joe was the call taker for an incident in Clarksburg during the month of February 2004.  He was given information concerning a male subject in possession of a firearm.  The subject was sitting in a family member's vehicle, and had been involved in a shots fired complaint earlier that day.  Joe had a Clarksburg police unit call the Bureau, and the unit and complainant were connected in order to determine the best course of action.

While a plan was in development, two full shifts of Clarksburg police units were assembled and assigned the task of apprehending the subject.  Joe re-established contact with the complainant, and kept the caller on the line while relaying the latest information to the police units.  Information was given to the units in a timely and effective manner, and Joe also managed to keep the caller calm and attentive until the units could make contact with the subject.  The subject was apprehended without incident, due in part to Joe's decisive thinking and dispatching skills.

• Captain Bryan Lowther

• Telecommunicator Heather Mick

• Telecommunicator Travis Miller

• Telecommunicator Cathy Chapman

• Telecommunicator Rob Cowger

These five employees were on duty when a shots fired complaint was received in the Summit Park section of Harrison County in March 2004.  The call was quickly upgraded to a shooting complaint once more information was obtained.  Troopers from the local detachment of the West Virginia State Police were alerted, and the responding fire and EMS crews were kept up to date on the situation as it developed.  The suspect's name and description, as well as the vehicle involved, were made known to all responders.  An alert message was broadcast to all local law enforcement agencies with information on the suspect and the vehicle.

The suspect fled to a family member's residence, and had a family member call 9-1-1 to surrender himself to authorities.  Police units were dispatched to his location, where he was apprehended without incident. 

Captain Lowther was in charge of the shift, and monitored the events as they unfolded, providing assistance and guidance when needed.  Cathy Chapman was the call taker on the original complaint, which was a shots fired incident.  She quickly upgraded the incident to a shooting once the caller provided additional information.  Rob Cowger received a second call from a female who was at the scene.  He kept her focused while obtaining additional information for the responding units.  Rob quickly relayed the information as it was received.  Heather Mick received the call from the suspect's family member, and she quickly made everyone aware of his location.  Travis Miller assisted with the increase in phone and radio traffic, as well as covering phones and frequencies assigned to the other Bureau employees while they dealt with their callers.