The community rewarded several law enforcement officers for their service to Longwood University during a ceremony this week. The Longwood University Police Department (LUPD) Awards Ceremony recognized 13 individuals for their dedication.

LUPD Chief Col. R.R. “Bob” Beach, who is also Longwood’s director of public safety, led the ceremony. He began by saying, “This is not an annual event. We hold it only when there is a need to do so.”

He said the LUPD does not want to cheapen any of the awards nor actions of men and women.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Megan Clark and Farmville Police Department (FPD) Chief Andy Ellington also attended. Beach praised their support.

He mentioned the importance of FPD’s partnership in planning for the recent Vice Presidential Debate.

“I could not have a better partner for that process,” Beach said.

He emphasized the importance of community support in regard to law enforcement agencies and added, “with resources and support, Longwood University can do anything.”

President W. Taylor Reveley IV thanked all those in uniform.

“We all did this together. It is an amazing thing,” he said of the debate passing without any security issues.

He said though this is a “tumultuous time in America, right here in Prince Edward, Farmville, Longwood is an oasis of calm, an oasis of people getting stuff done together.”

Beach said law enforcement officers appreciate it when someone — especially their peers — considers them professional, accomplished and colleagues.

For these very reasons, Beach said, Associate Director of Residential Operations Doug Howell received the Community Service Award for his work with safety walks. These events invite students and LUPD to walk around campus and discuss ways to make the university safer.

Beach praised Howell’s ability to “obtain solutions” and his “attempts to solve issues.”

Next, the ceremony recognized LUPD Officer William D. Shular and Sgt. Walter R. Whitt along with the FPD’s Sgt. Harvey Hoyle, Cpl. Christie Booth, Officer Chris Hudson and Officer Jordan Seay for their work during August’s Longwood Landings.

Beach said the six officers were being recognized for the “incredible amount of courage” it took to make sure every student was removed from the burning apartments. Their quick actions saved student lives from the fire, he said.

For their actions, each of the six officers received a Medal of Valor.

Beach then bestowed Meritorious Service awards to Prince Edward County sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff James K. Thorpe, Deputy Sheriff Andrew P. Hanson and LUPD’s Adam G. Newcomb, Tracy S. Mahan, John W. Williams and Lt. John P. Johnson.

Beach said Hanson found a victim of an attempted suicide and worked “above and beyond his duties, to save the student’s life.”

Mahan, an LUPD dispatcher, also helped prevent a suicide by talking a student out of buying a gun.

She convinced him there are other options, Beach said, and guaranteed the safety of that student and the safety of the campus community.

Johnson’s award came as a surprise. Beach spoke to Johnson’s ability to address issues head on to ensure the safety of the community.

Johnson was able to excel in his position, even under extreme pressure, Beach said.

For the eighth straight year, Security Magazine recently named the LUPD to its list of the top university security operations in the country. The LUPD is ranked 15th.