Community News

Council honors four from police department as MVPs

Police Capt. Chris LeRoy, Sgt. Robert Cantwell, Lt. Rich Olsen and Telecommunications Supervisor Monica Howard were honored as MVPs of the year. [PHOTO BY ALLISON NOCK, CITY OF HENDERSONVILLE]

By Lightning Reports, Published: February 11, 2020

The Hendersonville City Council recognized MVPs of the fourth quarter of and MVPs of the year last week.

In 2019, 148 MVP nominations were submitted and every four months, three were chosen as quarterly MVPs. From these, the Service Excellence Design Team selected Police Capt. Chris LeRoy, Sgt. Robert Cantwell, Lt. Rich Olsen, Telecommunications Supervisor Monica Howard for outstanding leadership and compassion assisting in the planning and execution of the funeral for Lt. Jimmy Case. They worked tirelessly for several days making the Operations Plan and working with other agency leaders to make sure the funeral was exactly what the family wanted. Sara Arell, a longtime friend of the Cases, wrote to thank the police department for going above and beyond to honor Jimmy, who died unexpectedly in April, and provide continuing support for his widow, Kris.


The MVPs of the Year receive a certificate signed by the Mayor, recognition at the council meeting, and their names will be included on a plaque. They each also receive $125.
If members of the public experience excellent customer service provided by a City of Hendersonville employee, they are encouraged to recognize them at: https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/recognize-an-employee

Fourth quarter MVPs were:

• Ross Henderson - Public Works. Public Works crews were working on the Sullivan Park playground site. It was a sunny afternoon and two girls were playing basketball nearby. Knowing how hot it was outside, Ross Henderson took a moment to retrieve two bottles of cold water and bring them over to the kids playing. This small gesture was a great example of serving others and building community.
• Jeff Tweed and Zeff Childress - Police Department. One of Hendersonville Police Department's reassurance callers didn't call in, and when a health and welfare check was performed, officers found she had no phone service. Telecommunicator Jeff Tweed stayed on the phone with the phone provider for more than half an hour to get the issue resolved while Officer Zeff Childress stayed with the lady while the provider worked on the line. The woman called in to praise Officer Childress on how kind and accommodating he was and said that she was so impressed with how he helped her. This citizen, who is legally blind, was in tears when she called in to thank the police department. It could have been a dire situation for her to be without phone service and the ability to call in to the reassurance program or call for help in the event of an emergency.
• Brian McCall - Water & Sewer. On Dec. 14, Brian McCall from the Water & Sewer Department was traveling on U.S. 64 West when he came upon a stranded motorist. Brian stopped and offered assistance to a scared and upset motorist who could not get her stalled car to start. Brian offered options of assistance and called a tow truck. He remained with the driver until the tow truck arrived and directed traffic. Brian showed his true nature with this selfless act on his day off.