Marion Police Chief John Clair released the annual report for the Marion department, saying that 2020 had been a challenging year for law enforcement.
Clair pointed to ongoing community engagement in spite of the pandemic closing areas of the country. The chief pointed to the Santa’s Elves program helping out during the 2020 holiday season, with department officers taking part in “No-Shave November” to raise funds for the program. Officers raised an extra $670, he said. Also during the holidays, the department took part in Smyth County’s “Shop with a Hero” event, which featured first responders from around the county helping with the Social Services’ Santa’s Elves. Officers, Clair said, helped to make a merrier Christmas for 50 local children.
Clair also honored several officers in the annual report, noting that Detective B. Sexton was awarded the Officer of the Year honor. Sexton is a 22-year veteran of the force. Officer J.Davis was named the 2020 MADD Award winner for consistent DUI enforcement. Sgt. J. Taylor graduated from the Professional Leadership Academy at Mountain Empire Community College. Lt. Andrew Moss completed an FBI-LEEDA trilogy of courses included training on supervisory, command and executive functions. Sgt. W. Thomas and Sgt. R. Billings completed the command portion of the series. Clair was also selected to sit on the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police Board for a four-year period.
In a year of transitions, Moss moved from the Marion PD to become chief at Chilhowie Police Department. Moss has more than 20 years of experience. K-9 Cooper, credited with more than 120 arrests, retired. The PD also added a new position in community relations and accreditation manager, selecting Master Officer Amber Eades for the role.
Clair noted in the report that the number of reported crimes in 2020 was the lowest in nearly a decade at 11,475 calls. There were 36 drug/narcotics arrests in 2020, down from 51 in 2019.
