The Danville Police Department today promoted seven officers and presented two awards and three letters of commendation to officers in a ceremony attended by family, friends and colleagues.
Sgt. Steve Richardson and Sgt. Keith Thompson were promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Cpl. Richard Chivvis and Cpl. David Whitley were promoted to the rank of sergeant. Investigator Michael Gourley and officers John Epps and John Pulley were promoted to the rank of corporal.
“These officers went through a rigorous promotion process,” Police Chief Philip Broadfoot said. “The process consisted of five different instruments ranging from written tests to a leadership matrix.
“We had a number of good candidates who tried for these promotions. It is really tough for me because we have many more well qualified officers than slots available.”
The slots became available due to retirements in the department.
In addition to the promotions, Broadfoot presented school resource officer Silas Crews with the department’s Life Saving Award for his response in a life or death situation involving a student eating lunch at Bonner Middle School on Dec. 28, 2015. The student began displaying signs of choking. Crews responded by performing the Heimlich maneuver on the student. His intervention restored the student’s breathing and in all probability saved the student’s life.
Six officers received the department’s Distinguished Service Award for exemplary work in a criminal investigation. The officers were Peter Bailey, Chivvis, Kelly Hendricks, Nicole Jeffries, Larry Land and Richardson.
Letters of commendation were presented to Chivvis for noticing criminal activity while off duty, Richardson for negotiating off duty with a suicidal subject and Officer Christopher Simpkins for notable criminal investigation.
