BUCKHANNON — Do you know of an Upshur County law enforcement officer who has made a difference in your community? 

An officer who has solved a specific area problem or improved the quality of life in your neighborhood, or an officer who is working in a problem-solving manner, using a method known as community policing? This can be an officer, deputy, or trooper who is building trust and a bond with the Upshur County community they work in, someone who is working hard to sustain the two-way respect our law enforcement officers and community deserve.

Create Buckhannon would like to hear your story and share that with the community.

The award is named for Jim Farrell, who envisioned the program that Create Buckhannon later chose to name in his honor. Farrell was assigned to the Armed Services Police Detachment, served in the 77th Army Reserve Command, was a New York State University policeman at Stoney Brook University on Long Island, worked as a NYS Park Policeman and was the supervisor of the Highway Patrol Motor Carrier Safety section of the Suffolk County Police Department.

He retired to West Virginia and became involved in emergency services, last serving as Upshur County Emergency Management director. He passed away from cancer in 2017.  Previous winners are Sgt. Mark Stewart (2017), Cpl. Tyler Gordon (2018) and Cpl. Marshall O’Connor (2019).

Please nominate the law enforcement officer of your choice by submitting approximately 100 to 1,000 words describing how he or she is making or has made a change in your community of residence, workplace, recreational area, or other Upshur County location of your choice sometime during the last 12 months.

Please give as many details as possible without embellishing and all submissions must contain your contact information for verification. Submit your recommendation for nomination no later than Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 to Create Buckhannon LEO Award, PO Box 991, Buckhannon, WV, 26201.

For more information, contact Create Buckhannon – create.buckhannon@gmail.com.