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Top law officers honored

Morris Kaplan Sharing and Caring Award winners and their supervisors are, from left, Francine Taddei and Chief Erik Summey of the Fletcher police department, Gloria Nock and Sheriff Charlie McDonald, Hendersonville officer Rob Underwood, Laurel Park Chief

The Hendersonville Kiwanis Club last week honored officers from five area law enforcement agencies that represent the compassion and dedication exemplified by the late Kiwanian and civic leader Morris Kaplan.


The Morris Kaplan Sharing and Caring Award is named for the longtime Kiwanian who founded the club's shoe and sock program for needy children and served the community in countless ways until his death at in 2007 at age 97.
"Today's recognitions are among the most prestigious awards we do, and rightly so in honor of a man who truly cared and shared," said program chairman Doug Dunlap.
The awards are based on nominations from the supervisors of law officers or other department employees.
Here are this year's winners:
• Robert Edwin "Rob" Underwood, a Hendersonville police officer for 6½ years, served as an infantryman in the 82nd Airborne. Police Capt. Bruce Simonds said Underwood is always willing to step up no matter the assignment. "Whatever you need me to do, captain," is his response to any direction or suggestion, Simonds told the Kiwanians. A runner, DARE instructor and physical fitness trainer, Underwood also holds certification as a sniper, SWAT team member and field training officer. He and his wife, Brandy, have two daughters, Anniston and Emerie, and are members of First Baptist Church of Canton.
• Francine Taddei, an administrative assistant at the Fletcher Police Department, puts her journalism training from UNC at Chapel Hill to good use when she reads incident reports submitted by officers, said Chief Erik Summey. "Even at times when she may be pulled in many directions, she never complains and always answers calls and emails promptly and courteously," Summey said. An alumnus of West Henderson High School, Taddei graduated with honors from UNC and worked as an intern for CNN host Larry King. She spent 20 years in real estate before taking the Fletcher police job 2½ years ago. Married to Dan Taddei, she has a daughter, Alexis, at Appalachian State University.
• Gloria Nock is a well-known face to a generation of public school children in Henderson County. A lieutenant in the professional standards unit of the Sheriff's Department, Nock is the longest serving DARE (Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education) officer in North Carolina and second longest serving one in the U.S., said Sheriff Charlie McDonald. A 32-year law enforcement veteran, "Glo" Nock, the daughter of Lloyd and Stella Jackson, is an adjunct instructor at BRCC, a member of Mountain View Baptist Church and active leader of civic groups. She and her husband, Bill, are parents of Allison, Wayne and Natalie Nock. "She always has that extra energy, always works extra hours and always leads by example," McDonald said.
• Floyd "Danny" Odom, a master trooper, joined the State Highway Patrol in Nash County, where he received an award of merit for saving a girl's life. He transferred to the Polk-Henderson-Transylvania division in September 2011. "He does not believe in doing anything unless it's 100 percent," said 1st Sgt. Sgt. Donald Christiansen. "He takes the extra time to do the job right." Last Halloween he organized the first "trunk or treat" hosted by the local Highway Patrol office. "There was an overwhelming response from the kids in the community," Christiansen said. "This event reflected very positively on our organization and was exemplary of the caring/sharing attitude of Trooper Odom." A certified drug recognition expert, Odom is a field sobriety test instructor. He was recently honored as Trooper of the Year in the three-county G/3 division. Members of Mud Creek Baptist Church, Odom and his wife, Sandy, enjoy their four "four-legged children" — Gabby, Baby, Sadie and Me-Me.
• Kevin Swanson, a Laurel Park patrol officer for the past five years, has won state awards as the "friendliest officer" and for "best presentation." A graduate of Faith Christian School and A-B Tech, Swanson is married to Misty and is the son of David and Carol Swanson. "The thing I notice working with him is how he treats everybody the same — no matter where they are on the spectrum," said Chief Bobbie Trotter. "He is always patient, always kind." A member of Biltmore Baptist Church, Swanson enjoys cooking, religious studies and fitness.