To protect and serve

To protect and serve

Law enforcement is a difficult career. The hours are long, the pay is less than generous, and it can be deadly.  In the current cultural environment, law enforcement officers (LEOs) of all stripes do not get the respect they deserve and are often vilified for their actions. We are fortunate that the intrepid souls who keep us safe did not choose other career paths and love what they do.

On December 3, the Goochland Board of Supervisors recognized Maj. Don Bewkes and Lt. Terry Pleasants who are retiring from the Goochland Sheriff’s Office at the end of the year, for their service and accomplishments while in office.

Bewkes, who began his tenure in office in February 1992, managed, supervised, and encouraged deputies in the performance of their duties. He served as liaison with Crime Stoppers Metro Richmond, a non-profit organization that offers rewards for anonymous tips that lead to successful prosecution of crime.

Training and partnering with special weapons teams of the FBI; DEA; Virginia State Police; and numerous local law enforcement agencies, Bewkes developed and trained members of Goochland’s Rescue Team. This subset of deputies has been deployed many times in high-risk arrest situations, searches, and asset protection to conserve and protect peace in the county.

He served as a master assessor for the Virginia Professional Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission with skills honed serving as the accreditation manager for the Goochland Sheriff’s Office.

Although the contributions made by Bewkes to law enforcement in Goochland are numerous, perhaps the most significant is his role in developing the concept and design of the county’s Emergency Operations/Communications Center, dedicated in 2017.

After Hurricane Isabel blew through Goochland in 2003, Bewkes realized that the county needed a better emergency operations center. He gave the matter a great deal of thought and research and built a cardboard model to illustrate his vision of the EOC that translated into reality.  Large enough to accommodate representatives of all county agencies involved in disaster response and recovery for extended periods of time, the new center was built with an eye towards expansion as the county grows. Dispatchers have more space and equipment. The facility includes many ingenious touches, like paint that permits walls to serve as whiteboard, and raised flooring for easy access to electronic cables. In a belt and suspenders approach to emergency communications, there is also space for amateur radio operators.

Maj Don Bewkes (r) explains features of EOC .

The exterior of the new building blends into existing structures so well that some people do not believe it is new.

Bewkes also oversaw expansion and upgrading of the county’s radio system with additional frequencies, channels, repeater towers at more locations around the county, and upgraded mobile radios.

Following are some comments from the impromptu “roast” that followed the December 3 retirement celebration.

Fire-Rescue Chief D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson Jr. thanked Sheriff Agnew, Bewkes, and Pleasants for their mentoring, teaching and support and “for laying the framework for what’s yet to come.”

“In emergencies, we’re all on the same team, we’re going to miss you,” Ferguson said. “These three (Agnew, Bewkes, and Pleasants) are the first to put their lives on the line. I have been in many tactical situations where they were the first ones in. You’ve done so much for law enforcement and emergency management.” He commended Agnew for having the foresight to equip patrol vehicles with AEDs and train deputies in CPR and emergency medical response.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jeremy Raley recalled a joint exercise with schools, fire-rescue and the sheriff’s office lead by Bewkes last summer. “I saw Don Bewkes in action, the man knows his stuff, the way he was able to organize his team his leadership and manage that situation was impressive. I thank you for everything you’ve done for the schools.”

“I’ve always s known what I wanted to do and was very happy to find a place like Goochland to do it. We’ve had the greatest people” Bewkes said.” I’ve always stressed the need to improve in good times and bad. You really see what people are made of when times get tough. We’re at one of the best places we can be and will continue to move forward in a constructive and honorable way.

“I’ve never considered it (law enforcement) work, but it wasn’t always a joy. We did our best for the community and the community has always done the best for you. Goochland has always been highly supportive of us, personally, as a structure, and as an organization. It’s been a pleasure; it’s been a great place and it’s going to continue to be so.”

Segueing into comments about Lt. Pleasants, Bewkes noted that since Goochland’s first Sheriff, Thomas Jefferson’s father, she is the first women officer to retire at full benefits in the entire history of Goochland County.

Pleasants thanked Agnew and Bewkes for the opportunity to do this job. “They taught me how to be a strong individual, good officer, leader, and to work with other people. I want say to all the guys (deputies and dispatchers) in the back, you’re a good bunch and I can’t say how much I’ve enjoyed working with you and how much you mean to me,” Pleasants said.  “You come to me when you need something, and I try to help you as best I can. I hope the person taking my job will continue to do that. The Sheriff’s Office is full of fine and upstanding people. Thank you for making my job easier and I wish all of you the very best.”

During her 31-year tenure with the Goochland Sheriff’s Office, Pleasants held a variety of jobs including dispatcher; deputy; patrol sergeant; emergency communications supervisor; and administrative lieutenant.  She played a significant role in the initial accreditation of the Goochland Sheriff’s Office and four subsequent re-accreditations. She has also been an assessor for the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission for more than 20 years.

Pleasants played an important role in the recent development and implementation of emergency medical dispatch. She mentored dispatchers who are the heart and soul of emergency response.

Thanks to both for their years of service to Goochland County.

Supervisor Manuel Alvarez, Jr. and. Lt. Pleasants (Goochland County photo)

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