GOLDSBORO D.A.R.E. OFFICER HONORED

Goldsboro police officer Willie Thomas was named D.A.R.E. Officer of
the Year at the annual North Carolina D.A.R.E. Officers Association
Training Conference held in Asheville Jan. 8-12.

In addition to winning the award, Thomas also was elected president
of the state association.

"I have a lot of people to thank, but the main ones are the students
who have gone through the program and allowed me into their lives for
a short time," Thomas said.

Thomas started with the Goldsboro Police Department in 1987 and has
been teaching the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program
to students in city schools and St. Mary's Catholic School since 1994.

"In the past 13 years, Thomas has touched the lives of innumerable
children in our community making a positive impact," Goldsboro police
Chief Tim Bell said in a statement. "Goldsboro Police Department
strongly supports the D.A.R.E. program and commends Officer Thomas
for the outstanding job he has done, and continues to do."

Thomas is married, is the father of three, and grandfather of two
grandsons. He and his wife live in Dudley.