2006 George Almond Officer of the Year Named
Detective Jim Grier is the 1st Recipient
2006 George Almond Officer of the Year Recipient
Detective Jim Grier with Retired Detective George Almond
Detective Jim Grier was named the 1st recipient of the 2006 George
Almond Officer of the Year award in festivities at the
Embassy Suites in Cary on February 17, 2007. The Cary
Chapter Board, in their first year chose to sponsor an Officer of the
Year award in honor of retired Detective George Almond. Almond, who is a
PBA member was shot in the line of duty in October of 2001. He survived
the shooting and returned to duty as a detective in juvenile
investigations before retiring in August of 2004. The award recognizes
outstanding achievement in the areas of leadership, community service,
mentoring, excellence in performance, and valor. Grier was selected from
a group of five finalists by the Cary Chapter board.
Sheri Abraham,
Wyatt Crabtree,
Brian Smith, and
Jim Young.
Grier was nominated, by his commander, Captain Dave Wulff, for his
exemplary actions involving a program that he developed. He developed
the idea of the Life Program (Re-Directing Youth Toward a Crime Free
Future). This program is loosely based on the Scared Straight Lifer’s
program being conducted at the East Jersey State Prison. He undertook
this initiative on his own and has the support of the Cary Police
department to continue this program. Youth are recommended to the
program by the officers, schools, families, and friends. A release is
signed by the parents or guardians after the program is explained to
them. Groups are brought to the Cary Police department and are met by
officers in drill sergeant fashion. They are given a taste of what life
in prison holds for them should they continue in the direction they are
headed. Guest speakers (generally current or former inmates with serious
prison records) are brought in to explain what life is like inside an
institution. To date, Detective Grier has run four such programs
involving 44 youth ranging in age from 12 to 17. Follow-up with them is
done to see if there have been any additional problems. To date, out of
44 youth who have attended the Life Program only four have continued to
be a problem. This is a success rate of 90.9%. According to Capt. Wulff,
“This speaks volumes to the effort put into the development of the
program, and the dedication Detective Grier has to the community.”
Grier was born in Johnson City, New York and lived all over the southern
tier of New York. Grier likes to state that his educational degrees are
from “Shoe Leather University.” He started his career with the Broome
County Sheriff’s Department in 1982 as a deputy/corrections officer. He
later transferred to the
Binghamton Police Department where he worked for the next
12 ½ years. During that time he was on the SWAT team was a detective for
five years. He also was part of the first uniformed street crime unit.
He transferred to the
Cary Police Department in 1998. Grier is currently
assigned as a detective to the Investigations and Family Services team.
He has been married to his wife Debbie for 29 years. They have two
children, Josh and Alicia, and two grandchildren, Dykoda and Zach. Josh
Grier is a police officer with the
Apex Police Department. Grier’s interests include playing
guitar, automotive mechanics, and home repair. He is a Christian who
believes that the members are the church and that the buildings are just
where we go to meet and worship together.
The awards program was attended by more than 200 people and had huge
support from the community. A dinner complete with a jazz ensemble
started what truly turned into a very special evening. The Cary Police
Department Honor Guard presented the colors and Katherine Fritsch who is
8 years old held those in attendance spellbound with the singing of the
national anthem. Fritsch recently started her career and sings the
national anthem at the
Carolina
Hurricane
hockey games. Kevin Tingen then presented the invocation and Cary
Chapter President Randy Byrd welcomed those in attendance. He also
recognized the hosts and sponsors of the event along with special guests
in attendance who included members of the
Citizens Assisting Police
team,
Mayor Ernie McAlister,
Rep. Ty Harrell,
Senator Janet Cowell,
Rep. Paul Stam,
County Commissioner Lindy Brown, and former
Cary Town Council member Mike Joyce.
John
Bachman with WRAL-TV was then introduced as the Master of
Ceremonies. Bachman a reporter/anchor has covered many law enforcement
related stories during his career. His insight and well placed humor
added much to the evening. Bachman also introduced
Wake County Clerk of Court Lorrin Freeman as the featured
speaker.
Freeman, who is a former prosecutor and assistant attorney general for
the state of North Carolina, has developed a close relationship with law
enforcement and the PBA. She gave a heartfelt speech about the
community’s commitment to law enforcement and George Almond’s dedication
to public service. According to Freeman, “I can think of no one better
for this award to be named for than George Almond. He embodies those
highest aspirations that we as citizens have for our law enforcement: to
be brave and selfless, to act with integrity and to be committed to
serving the public.” As part of her speech, Freeman recognized the
spouses of the officers by having them stand.
George Almond was then introduced as the guest speaker by John Bachman.
Almond gave a passionate speech that offered incredible insight into his
experiences. One of the most poignant parts of his speech was the
sharing of a letter that he read in federal court when his assailant was
sentenced. Almond also took the time to recognize all the officers who
were in attendance. John Bachman continued with the program by
recognizing the five finalists as Almond presented each of them with an
awards plaque. Almond also gave his personal thoughts about each of the
finalists before presenting the
final award to Jim
Grier. Grier offered his appreciation for receiving the award in a short
acceptance speech.
After a round of door prize presentations and a word about the
Police Benevolent
Foundation, Gary Hundley gave the benediction to close a
truly memorable evening.
Cary News article about Officer of the Year (click here)