BUCKHANNON — On Saturday, Oct. 16, the Volunteers in Police Service hosted the first-ever Law Enforcement and Telecommunications Appreciation banquet.

The purpose of the banquet was to honor law enforcement officers and telecommunicators across Upshur County to commend them on their dedication to public service and boost their morale.

Hosted by the VIPS, or Volunteers in Police Service, the celebration was organized by VIPS coordinator Steve Wykoff and assistant coordinator Jewel Fisher, who played an instrumental role in pulling off the event, and assistant coordinator David Rowamn.

All officers and telecommunicators received Certificates of Excellence for their work over the past year. VIPS members also distributed some humorous superlative awards as voted on by each department’s staff, VIPS coordinator Wykoff said.

Sgt. Marshall O’Connor with the Buckhannon Police Department received the Officer of the Year Award for 2021, and the other major award winners were as follows:

Outstanding Award Winners

• Roxanne Winters (telecommunicator for Upshur E911 Communication Center)
• Sgt. Marshall Powers with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office
• Cpl. Marshall O’Connon with the Buckhannon Police Deparment
• Division of Natural Resources police office Tanner Collins

The Volunteers in Police Service plan to host a similar fire department/EMS recognition and awards banquet in Spring 2022, Wykoff said.

To learn more about VIPS or how to join, click here.