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National Sheriffs' Association names Lawing Deputy of the Year

By Julie N. Chang | The News Herald

Published: February 15, 2009

MORGANTON - The National Sheriffs' Association named Burke County's Martin Lawing as the 2009 recipient of its Charles "Bud" Meeks Award for Deputy of the Year.

Burke County Sheriff John T. McDevitt said the NSA called him Friday morning to tell him the good news.

"I'm glad (Lawing) received (the award), but I wish circumstances hadn't happened the way they did that night," McDevitt said. "He is certainly deserving."

Lawing was not available for comment, but McDevitt said Lawing was excited when he heard about the award.

Ross Mirmelstein, the director of meetings for NSA and staffer for the award committee, said the organization will present the award on June 22 to Lawing at its annual conference in Fort Lauderdale.

The award's sponsor, Motorola, will pay for Lawing and his family's transportation costs, Mirmelstein said.

McDevitt said he hopes to find funding for the five SWAT team members, Sgt. Robert Beall and himself to attend the award ceremony.

NSA has given out the award since 1985, Mirmelstein said. Lawing is only the second deputy from North Carolina to receive the award.

As for the criteria, the only requirement is that the sheriff nominates the deputy, Mirmelstein said. The organization accepts nominations from sheriffs across the nation.

Mirmelstein said the committee reviews the "totality of the circumstances" surrounding the incident the deputy is nominated for.

Previous recipients do not fit a mold; some have been injured, others haven't and some have been awarded posthumously, Mirmelstein said.

Lawing will be joining a prestigious group, Mirmelstein added.

McDevitt said Lawing's dedication in 2008 to return to work sets him apart from other injured law enforcement officers.

Lawing, a member of the SWAT team, was injured in December 2007 during a standoff at the home of Joyce Eva Smith Nelson, 61. While attempting to throw a bag-phone into Nelson's home, someone inside the home shot Lawing in the neck.

The injured officer spent the next year recuperating and continues to undergo therapy sessions.

Lawing returned to the sheriff's office as a full time employee last fall. He serves as an investigator for the federally run Organization Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.