Corrections_Today_May_June_2019

The Medal of Valor ACA awards the Medal of Valor to anyone in corrections who has performed a heroic act of bravery while on the job. The recipient of this award, Maj. Herbert “Randy” Straughn, encapsulates everything that the award represents. On Sept. 28, 2017, Lt. Cory Lowery was walking through the South Hall of Arkansas Varner Supermax unit when he was brutally attacked and stabbed several times by four inmates. Maj. Straughn ran to the scene and engaged all four inmates and was able to get them off Lt. Lowery while other correctional officers pulled the wounded officer to safety. As a result, Maj. Straughn sustained stab wounds to his back and neck. Both men were taken to the nearest hospital and treated for major injuries. Maj. Straughn was released to go home that evening, but was fully aware the Varner unit was still working to restore order, and returned to the facility to help his colleagues. In receiving the award, Maj. Straughn thanked his family, the Arkansas Department of Correction, the ACA Awards Committee and a special thanks to Warden James Gibson.

Evonne Willingham accepts the award for outstanding community service on behalf of the Trenton SCCA.

The Community Service Award The Trenton Chapter of the South Carolina Correctional Association (SCCA) received the Community Service award this year for their Read Aloud Program and family assistance initiative at Douglas Elementary School in Trenton, South Carolina. This program teaches children how to resolve conflict, understand the world and, most importantly, how to feel empathy for others. The dedicated corrections professionals at the Trenton SCCA are a prime example of how selflessly giving back to their community positively effects the lives of the students involved in the program. Evonne Willingham, the associate warden of programs for the South Carolina Department of Corrections, accepted the award on behalf of the Trenton SCCA. In her remarks, she noted that she believes in her organization, and “the mission of serving others and giving back to the community.”

Maj. Randy Straughn accepts the Medal of Valor award for his courageous act.

Corrections Today May/June 2019 — 49

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