JANUARY 21, 2010 ISSUE
WCSO Sgt. Baker Named N.C. DARE Officer of the Year
On January 14, Watauga County Sheriff’s Office Civil Sgt. Patrick Baker, pictured on left, was named North Carolina DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Officer of the Year at a special ceremony in Greensboro. Watauga County Sheriff Len. D. Hagaman, Jr., pictured on right, made the announcement during the January 19 Watauga County Commissioners’ regular meeting, as other members of local law enforcement looked on.
A DARE officer since 1992, Sgt. Baker—who is loving known by Watauga County Schools students as “Sergeant Pat my DARE officer”—is so dedicated to the program that he at times, because of deep budget cuts and tight funding that handicap his attempts to attend, has used his vacation time and personal vehicle to attend some of the educational functions.
In addition to teaching DARE in six elementary schools, Baker is also the county’s solid waste enforcement officer, a civil officer serving civil and criminal papers and a court room bailiff. Photo by Sam Calhoun
Community Interest
News & Notes
Events
Arts & Entertainment
