PBPD recognizes promoted, new officers

The Poplar Bluff Police Department partook in what was described as a “very old tradition” Wednesday morning when it held a badge pinning ceremony to recognize its new and newly promoted officers.

The badge pinning ceremony, according to Chief Danny Whiteley, has been around for many, many years.

“Although it has not occurred at the Poplar Bluff Police Department in at least three decades or maybe ever, I hope it becomes a time-honored tradition that provides recognition for those who protect and serve our community,” Whiteley said.

During the ceremony, two new officers — Patrolman Kenneth Carpenter Jr. and Patrolman Donald “Cody” Trout — were pinned by Sgt. Dusty Johnson and retired deputy police chief Donnie Trout, respectively.

Whiteley pinned badges on recently promoted officers — Joe Ward, lieutenant; Shonna Grobe, sergeant; and T.J. Akers, corporal.

Each was presented with a certificate, as was Holly Lewis, who was recognized for her promotion to assistant chief communications officer.

Wednesday’s ceremony, Whiteley said, gave the employees a chance to include his or her family and friends in a “very important event in their personal and professional lives.”

Whiteley said a ceremony awarding/pinning a police badge on an “individual, who has earned it, has been a long-standing law enforcement tradition throughout our great nation.”

There are two times, Whiteley said, when a badge is presented to an officer — the first upon graduating the police academy and the second upon being promoted.

“Naturally, both are very exciting times,” Whiteley said. “In each instance, new challenges and tremendous responsibilities are assumed.”

In the words of Plato, “it does not matter if the cobblers and the masons fail to do their jobs well, but if we, the guardians, fail, the democracy will crumble,” Whiteley said.

Today, as guardians of the longest-running democracy in the history of the world, “you cannot fail; you dare not fail to honor the call,” Whiteley said.

“The risk is far too great, and the margins for error are far too slim.

“Congratulations and may God be with each of you throughout your life and career.”