“I thought I knew you well,” commissioner Chairman Vernon Bryant told Wright at the city council meeting, relating a story told to him by county Commissioner Rives Manning. “Judge told me something unique, that you used to be Santa Claus. I wasn't expecting him to tell me you were Santa Claus. You also did a lot of things for senior citizens.”

Bryant said although Wright retired years ago, “I'm one of the few who still calls you Captain Wright.”

Bryant presented Wright a plaque honoring him as not only a public servant but as a humanitarian and servant of the people of Halifax County.

Roanoke Rapids Mayor Emery Doughtie also thanked Wright for his service, not only to Roanoke Rapids, but Halifax County as a whole.

“The city of Roanoke Rapids and Halifax County have been good to me,” Wright said, before giving a special thanks to former Chief D.N. Beale. “I couldn't have done it if it wasn't for my good friend Chief Beale.”

Beale and Wright.

Beale, who was visibly moved by the accolades given Wright, said, “It's well-deserved.”

Following the meeting Beale said he worked with Wright as a police officer for 30 years, but they have been friends for some 50 years. “He worked with me on all the houses I remodeled up until three or four months ago.”

Beale described Wright as the kind of officer seen in movies and comics, one who was right on the spot when anything happened.

Bryant said the board as well as city council wanted to honor the captain for his service. “The captain has been around a long time. He's a big contributor to the community through his service on the police department and his contributions to senior citizens and youth.”

Wright began with the police department in August of 1956 as a patrol officer and worked his way up to the rank of captain, retiring in January of 1992.

“It's quite an honor,” he said, reiterating, “I couldn't have done it without my friend Chief Beale.”

From left, Bryant, Benthall and Hasty.

Law enforcement certificate

In another matter related to law enforcement this evening, Lieutenant Andy Bryant and Chief Chuck Hasty presented Officer Jonathan Benthall with his advanced law enforcement certificate.

Hasty said Benthall's years of service, his college degree and several hundred hours of training played into his receiving the certificate.