Alexandria Deputy Honored by Noon Day Optimist Club
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Deputy DuWayne Morris (second from left) receives top Law Enforcement Award for 2008 from Alexandria’s Noon Day Optimist Vice President Fred Chatelain. Captain Lucinda Buker and Sheriff Lawhorne participated in the ceremony.
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Deputy DuWayne Morris, a nine-year veteran of the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office, has received the Noon Day Optimist Club’s Law Enforcement Award for 2008. Optimist vice president Fred Chatelain cited Deputy Morris’ service as an Army medic in Iraq in 2006 and 2007 before returning to the sheriff’s office in January 2008. “The Optimist Club long has respected Law Enforcement and this award represents the top quality of public servants we have in Alexandria,” Chatelain said during the luncheon meeting at Belle Haven Country Club.
Captain Lucinda Buker, security commander of the Alexandria jail, lauded Morris as “one of those “rare people who not only serve their community as deputy sheriffs and police officers but serve their country as well.” She said Deputy Morris “is a positive person who always sees the glass half full. He is an asset to the Sheriff’s Office. He shows compassion towards those who most would think are undeserving.”
“I will never forget my time in Iraq,” is” Morris said. “I saw the best that people can be and the worst, sometimes all in one day.” He said he felt sorrow and joy when he spent time with Iraqi children. He saw the pain and suffering when a suicidal bomber set off a bomb near school children. “I was happy to provide not only medical treatment but was able to comfort the victims.”
The Alexandria Sheriff's Office is responsible for the operation of the Detention Center, courthouse and courtroom security,service of all court legal documents, execution of court orders, transportation of prisoners, execution of arrest warrants, and general public safety and law enforcement. All powers, responsibilities and duties of the Alexandria Sheriff's Office derive from common law, the Virginia Constitution, the Code of Virginia and the Alexandria Charter.
The Alexandria Sheriff's Office is a highly professional organization with 211 Deputy Sheriffs and civilian personnel. The Office is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Commission on Accreditation for Corrections, and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. The Office has been honored by the National Sheriff's Association with the prestigious "Triple Crown Award" for achieving these national accreditations. The Office is Virginia state certified by the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Department of Corrections; and most recently by the Community Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities.
