The Farmville Police Department held the annual Law Enforcement Awards Banquet on Jan. 25.

According to a press release, Officer Jeff Davis was awarded a Certificate of Commendation, Prince Edward County Farmville 801 District Supervisor and Chairwoman Pattie Cooper-Jones was awarded the Citizen Recognition and Appreciation Certificate, Officer Jordan Seay-Allen and Officer Charles Kincheloe were awarded the “S.O. Dunnavant” DUI Award, Detective Sgt. David Ragland was awarded the “Otto S. Overton” Meritorious Service Award and Detective S.L. “Sammy” Entrekin was awarded the Officer of the Year Award.

“(There’s) been some extraordinary cases made and extraordinary performances out of all the officers,” Farmville Police Chief A.Q. “Andy” Ellington said. “I’m very proud of what I have and who I’m working with.”

According to a press release, Davis received the Certificate of Commendation for his outstanding performance and leadership in the organization of Operation Blue Christmas.

“Because of Officer Davis’s efforts in organizing this year’s event, 12 children were provided with $200 and were able to spend the morning shopping for Christmas with police officers, members of Social Services and members of Farmville Police Department’s Citizen Advisory Board,” officials said in the release.

The release cited that the Citizen Recognition and Appreciation Certificate, awarded to Cooper-Jones, is given by the chief of police to a citizen of the community for demonstrable, measurable and verifiable acts or deeds of significant service in support of the department’s mission or service to the community as a whole.

The “S. O. Dunnavant” DUI Award, awarded to Seay-Allen and Kincheloe, was named in honor and in memory of former Farmville Police Chief Stuart O. Dunnavant.

“The award recognizes the department member who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to the prevention, detection and enforcement of the driving under the influence laws and for ensuring the safety of the general public by removing impaired drivers from the streets of the Town of Farmville,” officials said in the release.

According to the release, the “Otto S. Overton” Meritorious Service Award, given to Ragland, is named in honor and memory of former Farmville Police Chief Otto S. Overton.

“The award is for department members who demonstrate exceptional service to the community and to particular tasks or assignments,” officials said in the release. “This is the fourth-highest award the department can bestow on a member and is accompanied by a certificate.”

The release cited that the recipient of this award will automatically be placed into the pool of officers to be selected as Officer of the Year for the upcoming year.

“The Officer of the Year status is awarded to an officer who has been voted upon by the Command Staff,” officials said in the release regarding the award given to Entrekin. “Nominations for this award are submitted by supervisors to the Chief of Police in writing. Submissions include factors supporting the nomination such as community involvement, commitment to the agency, superior performance with a specific difficult task and/or a complete and consistent body of work throughout the year that exceeds normal expectations.”

The release cited that Entrekin received the “Otto S. Overton” Meritorious Service award the previous year, therefore automatically placing him into the pool of officers to be selected as Officer of the Year for this year.

“Detective Entrekin continued to be a hard worker and has produced many quality cases. In the past year, he has been assigned several lengthy and complicated cases,” officials said in the release. “… Detective Entrekin continues to manage his criminal investigations well while at the same time coordinating and assisting with many of the department’s community relations programs.”

The release cited that Entrekin continues to put together a First Responder Camp for the town’s youth and has taken a leading role in the department’s Citizens Police Academy.