Earlier this month, Virginia State Police Master Trooper Gene E. Ayers was presented with the national D.A.R.E. America 2008 Officer of the Year Award in San Antonio, Texas – a first for a Virginia officer.
The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program has been working with children for 25 years, and strives to educate children on ways to avoid drugs, gangs and violence.
Ayers, a native of Alleghany County, also received the Virginia D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year Award in 2003.
While accepting this year’s award, Ayers said, “This award is not about me … this is about our kids.”
In a released statement, VSP Superintendent Colonel W. Steven Flaherty said, “We are extremely proud of Master Trooper Ayers and the incredible work he has done throughout Virginia to enhance the D.A.R.E. program in our schools and communities.”
The D.A.R.E. program currently operates in 75 percent of U.S. school districts and also operates in over 40 other countries.
Awsome I LOVE DARE
At my school this police officer comes to my school at thornbrooke and teatches us about drugs and stuff its…AWESOME
Gene, If any one person deserves this award it is certainly you.
Anyone who has worked with you knows your work ethics are the highest, your morals are above reproach.
You are diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of TRUTH (2 Tim. 2:15).
Congratulations on a job well done.
Rich and I love you dearly.