The Southern Pines Police Department is honored to announce the “Employee of the Quarter Award” for the first quarter of 2017. This award recognizes police department employees who have provided exemplary service to the community, or performed in a manner worthy of recognition. This award is the result of a peer nomination and action by the supervisory and leadership team of the Southern Pines Police Department.
Officer Kevin Dean (and his K-9 partner “Mary”” is/are the recipient(s) of this award for the first quarter of 2017. Officer Dean was selected due to his diligence, tenacity, professionalism and self-motivation investigating serious felony incidents which occurred during the first quarter of 2017.
During the first quarter of 2017, Officer Dean and his K-9 partner were recognized for the following incidents:
1. On January 2, 2017, Officer Dean and K-9 Mary were conducting a narcotics investigation in the 500 block of South Carlisle Street. As a result of this investigation, crack cocaine, oxycodone, digital scales, drug packaging materials, $3,565.00 in U.S. currency and a loaded 9mm semiautomatic handgun were recovered. This investigation, resulted in two suspects being taken into custody.
2. On January 28, 2017, after observing a wanted suspect operating a motor vehicle on Murray Hill Road, Officer Dean conducted a traffic stop and placed this wanted suspect into custody. A search was conducted following this lawful arrest which resulted in finding that the suspect in custody was a convicted felon, and was armed with a loaded .22 caliber semiautomatic handgun. An additional investigation was conducted by K-9 Mary which resulted in the recovery of crack cocaine, digital scales and narcotics packaging materials.
3. On February 14, 2017, following a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 1, Officer Dean deployed K-9 Mary to assist in the traffic stop by conducting a “K-9 sniff” of the vehicle. Following a positive alert on the vehicle, a concealed, loaded 9mm semiautomatic handgun, along with a sword style machete were found to be concealed in the vehicle. The driver was subsequently arrested and charged.
In the award letter presented to Officer Dean, Chief Temme stated:
“The safety and security we all enjoy in our community is based on the manner in which we, as Southern Pines Police Officers carry out our duties. By delivering service to others with kindness, dedication and courage, you have represented our entire department well. Removing three firearms during the first quarter of 2017 from the hands of criminal suspects translates into reduced violence and very well may have prevented serious injury or a criminal homicide.
The Southern Pines Police Department is proud to recognize Officer Kevin Dean and his K-9 partner Mary with this award. Officer Dean represents the professionalism and dedication to the community which is indicative of all members of the Southern Pines Police Department.
