Citizens on Patrol, a group that assists the Roanoke Rapids Police with community events, was honored by the department and welcomed back an original member recovering from an injury.

“He is the most committed and helps Citizens on Patrol in any way he can,” said Captain Andy Jackson about Jerry Hux, who is recovering from a severe injury sustained in a fall. “His enthusiasm by far is the greatest I've ever see.”

Administrative Lieutenant Andy Bryant said COP members were honored with a dinner Thursday night, “For their dedication and selfless acts of community spirit.”

(For more information on the COP program contact Bryant at 252-533-2825 or Jackson at 252-533-2817)

The group can be seen at numerous community events where they often fingerprint children and assist the police department in civilian patrols, looking for suspicious activity so it can be reported to officers, said Bryant.

They assist with traffic control at parades and races and do security checks for businesses as well as noting and reporting items of value left in parked cars. The group will be at the upcoming National Night Out event in August, Bryant said. “They're extra eyes and ears for us. They're people who want to help the community they live in.”

Said Jackson: “They have been an asset to the Roanoke Rapids Police Department and community. It's a completely voluntary group which speaks volumes of their charitable nature.”

The COP members brought food for the gathering while Tommy and Angela Curl assisted in its preparation, Bryant said. The leftover food was taken to emergency room staff of the hospital.

Bryant said the benefit to becoming a COP member, where membership requires attending and completing Citizens Police Academy, “Is helping your community enrichment and helping others.”

Jackson said, “They get to become more familiar with the laws and the rules. They get the reward of helping others.”

Beyond successfully completing Citizens Police Academy, potential COP members have to go to classes taught by its senior members and police officers as well as riding time with senior members.