DATE: Sunday, September 21, 1997            TAG: 9709190355

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 08   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   97 lines

POLICE DEPARTMENT HONORS, PROMOTES 6 ``FAMILY MEMBERS''

With pomp and circumstance, a little pretense and plenty of cake, the police department promoted six of its members to higher ranks last week.

Lights glared as the city's TV cameras rolled. After the department's first ceremonial back-patting, the officers and their relatives and friends sipped punch and ate two flavors of cake.

Many said they appreciated Chief Jimmy L. Wilson's special attention to those being promoted, the recognition of honors earned and the officers' promise to faithfully fulfill new obligations.

But when Maj. William A. Freeman asked for a family member of each of the four men and two women to pin on their relatives' badges, a bit of play-acting began.

Two wives, a husband, two fathers and a son came to the front of the City Council chambers.

But John H. Blakeney - being promoted from sergeant to lieutenant - momentarily stood alone, his wife unable to attend.

Quickly, Capt. Richard H. Hurd stepped into a temporary role that personified Wilson's desire for all the officers to consider themselves family - for one another and for the citizens they serve.

The ceremony was a public display of the commitment and dedication of each member of the force, not just those being promoted, Wilson said.

``We recognize that many of our police officers have chosen not to pursue advancement at this time,'' he said.

Instead, some had unselfishly helped others achieve their goals, Wilson said.

And he thanked City Manager Myles E. Standish, who also was unable to attend, and the officers' ``real'' families for their support.

Kyle W. Holmes, the officer being promoted to the highest rank who had the highest test score, gave the group's response.

``We must not forget where we came from,'' Holmes said, urging each of his fellow supervisors to help others also achieve their goals.

Those honored were:

Holmes, 37, who was promoted to rank of lieutenant.

A 16-year veteran of the department, Holmes became a sergeant 10 years ago, assigned to the communications division, then to uniform patrol.

A North Carolina native, Holmes has been a department instructor, breathalyzer operator, member of the dive team and honor guard.

He and his wife, Francis, have four children.

Blakeney, 49, who was promoted to rank of lieutenant.

Blakeney, with 23 years experience with the department, had been a sergeant 18 years. He had supervised in the communications and the administrative and support divisions, warrant bureau and central records.

Originally from Texas, Blakeney was instrumental in the department's transition from .38-caliber revolvers to the current semi-automatic 9mm handguns in February 1993, Freeman said.

Blakeney and his wife, June, have two children and two grandchildren.

Stephanie R. Burch, 30, who was promoted to rank of sergeant.

A five-year department veteran, Burch had served in uniform patrol two years before transferring to the youth bureau of the investigative services section.

Burch, a Newport News native, has a bachelor's degree in sociology from Virginia Tech.

She and her husband, Paul, also a Suffolk police officer, have a child.

Deborah J. George, 31, who was promoted to sergeant.

George has been with the department for more than 11 years, as a dispatcher for most of the first year, then as an officer for the rest. She was a patrol officer five years before transferring to the investigative services division.

George, a Suffolk native, was named Officer of the Year in 1996. She has attended several investigative specialty schools.

She and her husband, Barry, have two children.

Victor C. Pisani, 45, who was promoted to sergeant.

Pisani was a patrolman 18 years, then the department's training instructor at the Chesapeake Public Safety Academy for three. While teaching there, he received the meritorious service award from the Chesapeake Police Department.

He also has been a traffic officer, general instructor, firearms instructor and breathalyzer operator. For the past year, he has been a detective in the investigative services section.

Pisani, a New York native, was named Police Officer of the Year in 1980 and 1996.

He has an associate degree from New York City Community College. He and his wife, Cheryl, also a Suffolk Police officer, have three children.

Dean M. Smith, 32, who was promoted to sergeant.

Smith has been a patrolman for eight years. He also has been a field training officer, traffic officer, dive team member and breathalyzer operator. He has attended numerous advanced training schools.

He and his wife, Robin, have a child. Smith, an Ohio native who grew up in Virginia Beach, also has a step-child and two children from a previous marriage.

The promotions were effective Tuesday. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER

Ryan George pins a new sergeant's badge on his mother, Deborah J.

George. A Suffolk native, George was named Officer of the Year in

1996.

Eula Williams administers the oath of office to Suffolk police

officers Sept. 12 during promotion ceremonies in City Council

chambers.

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