WPD honors officers promoted during pandemic

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Police Department honored several officers who were promoted during the pandemic and had not yet had a formal pinning ceremony on Thursday afternoon.

The ceremony honored officers ranking from corporal to chief, featuring the historic pinning of Chief Donny Williams as the first African American chief to serve the department.

One officer honored was Lieutenant Leslie Irving who has served Wilmington Police for two decades, starting in January of 1999 and being promoted to lieutenant in August of 2020.

Pinned by her husband and son, Irving says her family has always been present for each of her promotions but today two of her sons were missing as one is away at college and the other recently graduating from boot camp for the U.S. Marine Corps.

Irving says family support is what keeps her going.

“Everyday you get up and put on this uniform, you never know what you’re going to encounter,” Irving said. “In fact, even if you’re going to come home tonight so to have your family support you means a whole lot.”

A native Wilmingtonian, Irving says she has worked hard for this accomplishment and is proud to serve the community she grew up in.

Officers honored include:

Corporals

• Troy Herman
• Allen Mitchell
• Daniel Fortier
• Gabe Galluppi
• Melody Raper
• LaBrae Knipp
• Ashlee Walker
• Thomas Allmer
• Brandon Hilliard
• Suzanne Genda
• Maurice Thorpe
• Megan O’Bryan
• Justin Miller
• Bryce St. Pierre

Chief Pilot

• Jonathan Gordon

Sergeants

• Travis Williams
• William Young
• Brittany Waddell
• Jeremy Bland
• Brandon Reece
• Paul Raspet

Lieutenants

• Paul Verzaal
• Leslie Irving
• Duan Ford
• Kevin Tully

Captains

• Kelvin Hargrove
• Matthew Ingram

Deputy Chief

• Benjamin Kennedy

Assistant Chief

• David Oyler

Chief of Police

• Donny Williams