A regional Peace Officers’ Memorial Service was held on Wednesday, May 14, at the Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) MET Complex, to honor and pay respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The memorial was held during National Police Week, which is held to recognize the men and women in law enforcement who protect and serve, the families who stand behind them, and their sacrifices.
Speakers included Gary C. Dove, Chief of Police/Emergency Planning Coordinator at P&HCC, Chaplain Dr. C. Lee Hagwood Sr., Martinsville Mayor LC Jones, Henry County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Adams, Martinsville Police Chief Rob Fincher, Martinsville Sheriff Steve Draper, Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis and members of the Virginia State Police.Â
The service and commitment of officers from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Bassett Police Department, Fieldale Police Department, Martinsville Police Department, and Area 42 of the Virginia State Police were among those honored.
Henry County Sheriff’s Officers included Paul Edward Grubb, End of Watch (EOW) July 1989; Melvin Brown, EOW June 1984; Willis Herman Ferguson, EOW March 1975; John Hughes Mitchell, EOW May 1922.Â
Bassett Police Department Officer George S. Frame, EOW March 1923.
Fieldale Police Department Officer John J. Johnson, EOW January 1975.Â
Martinsville Police Officers George F. Carter, EOW June 1918; Jonathan W. Bowling, EOW January 2005.
Virginia State Police Officers Charles Eugene Morris, EOW 1962; James Michael Phillipi, EOW January 2014.
