RALEIGH, N.C. - Colonel Bill Grey, commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and Frank L. Perry, Secretary of the Department of Public Safety, presented several members and citizens with awards in a ceremony today.  The awards given included the State Highway Patrol Meritorious Service Award, Samaritan Award, Appreciation Award, Valor Award, Purple Heart Award, Humanitarian Award, and the Tommy Cheek Award.

“Today, we recognize the excellent contributions, bravery, and sacrifices made by this select group of sworn and civilian members of the State Highway Patrol,” Dept. of Public Safety Secretary Frank L. Perry said.  “I commend each one of them for their dedication and unwavering service to the State of North Carolina.”

“The recipients honored today provide true examples of a devotion to service”, said Colonel Grey.  “Their willingness to help others while demonstrating compassion and courage should always be recognized.”

Meritorious Service Award

Mr. Mark C. McLeod – Business Technician Application Analysist – Raleigh, N.C.

Meritorious Service Group Award

Lieutenant Ronald W. Elkins, Jr. – Training Academy – Raleigh, N.C.

Sergeant Charles M. Tedder – Training Academy – Raleigh, N.C.

Sergeant Jared L. January – Training Academy – Raleigh, N.C.

Trooper Davide S. Mazzotta – Training Academy – Raleigh, N.C.

Trooper Patrick B. Yount – Training Academy – Raleigh, N.C.

Samaritan Award

Sergeant David S. Smith – Troop D, District 4 – Roxboro, N.C.

Sergeant Randolph L. Roberts – Executive Security Detail – Raleigh, N.C.

Trooper Joshua M. Thomas – Troop D, District 3 – Reidsville, N.C.

Trooper Michael W. Coley – Troop E, District 9 – Concord, N.C.

Trooper Joseph P. Howard – Troop A, District 4 – Washington, N.C.

Trooper Terry P. Neal – Troop F, District 5 – Hickory, N.C.

Sergeant Garrett A. Barger – Troop E, District 6 – Salisbury, N.C.

Trooper Barry N. Burnette – Troop E, District 6 – Concord, N.C.

Samaritan Award Group

Ms. Tammy Langdon – Office Assistant IV – Raleigh, N.C.

Trooper Lawrence W. McKeithan – Troop X, District 4 – Raleigh, N.C.

Valor Award

Trooper Jonathan W. Gouge – Troop F, District 1 – Morganton, N.C.

Appreciation Award

Mr. Richard Seifried – U. S. Army (retired)

Tommy Cheek Award for Collision Reduction

Troop A, District 2 – Hertford County – Ahoskie, N.C.

Humanitarian Service Award

Mr. Roger D. Frizzell – Network Technician – Asheville, N.C.

Purple Heart Award

Patrolman Harry Stegall

For more detailed information on the individual award recipients, please open the attached narrative.

For more information, please contact Sergeant Michael Baker at (919) 733-5027 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text63889 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Photographs from the event can be found in the album on the DPS Flickr page.