The NNSO celebrates accomplishments of 2022
Newport News Sheriff Gabe Morgan publicly recognized nearly three dozen deputies he promoted in 2022, staff who performed above and beyond, and said goodbye to personnel who retired.
The agency’s Promotion and Awards Ceremony was held in the Gaines Theater inside the Freeman Center at Christopher Newport University on Monday, January 26, 2023. It was the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that Sheriff’s Office deputies and civilians could be together to celebrate the good things that took place in 2022. Family, friends, and invited guests filled the 300-seat theater for the 1-hour ceremony.
The Sheriff’s Office Color Guard presented the colors to begin the program. Civil Clerk and recording artist Hope Gatling sang the national anthem and Staff Chaplain Marie Boyd gave the invocation.
Sheriff Morgan stepped to the podium and talked about the pride he has in his personnel and the job they perform, which they may think goes unnoticed. But he notices and appreciates their professionalism and their dedication as they get the job done each day.
To the clapping and cheering of friends and family, each captain, lieutenant, sergeant, corporal, and master deputy was called on stage to receive their certificates and, where appropriate, have the sheriff, a family member or a close friend pin their badges on their uniforms. Each recipient shook hands with the NNSO command staff and city officials.
A Purple Heart medal was given to Sgt. M. Nelson. He was injured when an inmate punched him and broke his nose while dinner trays were being delivered. Nelson, a master deputy at the time, didn’t stop for medical attention until he had subdued the inmate. After surgery and recovery, he returned to duty.
Sheriff Morgan awarded lifesaving medals for deputies’ actions and a non-agency nurse.
Deputies L. Johnson and D. Tolson were working in Courtroom 1 in October 2022 when a man, about to be sentenced and taken into custody, suddenly ran out and jumped, trying to get over the third-floor railing. (video) Deputy Johnson caught one of his legs as he went over; Deputy Tolson grabbed the man by his waist as he struggled to get free. The two deputies worked seamlessly together to get him back over the railing and onto the floor, then secured him.
The second act occurred at a homeless shelter where Lt. S. Holloman and Nurse Anne Reeves, an employee of Family Centered Resources, Inc., were on duty. They rendered lifesaving medical attention to a man in distress outside the shelter. The man was incoherent and couldn’t say what he’d ingested. Concerned he may have overdosed, Lt. Holloman administered Narcan as Nurse Reeves monitored the man’s condition. Lt. Holloman and Nurse Reeves stayed with him as his condition improved and until paramedics arrived.
The final recognition of the evening was for the retirees who decided it was time to spend time more with family and just enjoy a different pace of life.
The ceremony ended with Sheriff Morgan leading sworn staff in taking the oath, re-dedicating themselves to upholding the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia’s constitutions and serving the citizens of Newport News.
Afterward, everyone enjoyed a reception with light refreshments to bring a close to the evening’s festivities.
We thank Newport News TV for videotaping our ceremony.
Promotions:
Captain: K. Gross, C. Vincent, R. Jones
Lieutenant: S. Holloman, M. Hardy, C. Johnson, T. Walker, T. Woodhouse, J. James, C. Toliver
Sergeant: C. Sproles, D. McClain, Q. Abdullah, L. Carlisle, R. Brown, T. Brown,
M. Nelson, J. Gentili, D. Peterson
Corporal: J. Mathews, S. Nunnally, C. Williams-Davis, R. Bullock
Master Deputy: E. Davidson, T. Spells, A. Briggs, T. Ettleman, S. Jones, D. Landy, T. Strother, V. Warren
Medal Presentations:
Purple Heart for Sgt. M. Nelson
Lifesaving Award to Deputy L. Johnson and Dep. D. Tolson
Lifesaving Award to Lt. Holloman and PORT shelter nurse Reeves
Retirements:
Sgt. Chandler, Capt. Allen, Dep. Oglesby-Magwood, Lt. Robbins, Lt. Preyer, Marcia Pittman, Lt. Craig Smith, Maj. Vergakis