The SBI recognized the efforts of Captain Bobby Martin, investigators Jeff Davis and Obert Wiltsie and uniformed officers while Martin in an email to Chief Chuck Hasty commended Master Officer Jamie Hardy and members of A Squad which led to apprehension of Lester Kearney on March 14.

In his March 26 letter to Hasty, SBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Denning Sr. wrote, “I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the assistance provided by the Roanoke Rapids Police Department regarding a homicide, kidnapping, robbery and arson investigation out of Warren County, NC.”

Wrote Denning, “I would like to specifically thank Captain Bobby Martin, detectives Jeff Davis and Obert Wiltsie and members of the patrol that helped locate and arrest one of the suspects. The collaborative efforts of all greatly benefited the investigation. It is always gratifying to see law enforcement agencies working together seamlessly and professionally.”

Martin, in his email to Hasty a day after Kearney’s arrest, recommended a commendation for Hardy.

“On Wednesday I spoke with Master Officer Hardy about Kevin Munn and Lester Kearney about some new information I had learned from Munn. I knew Officer Hardy had dealings with these subjects in the past. Once Officer Hardy and I finished speaking he began to do some following up and received information that Lester Kearney may be going to Walgreens in Roanoke Rapids.”

Hardy relayed that information to Martin and Martin relayed the information to the SBI and Warren County Sheriff’s Office. “Once everything was set up, Lester Kearney did show up at Walgreens and was taken into custody without incident and no one was hurt.”

Wrote Martin: “Officer Hardy took the initiative to gather important information and use his vast knowledge of sources to help bring this wanted subject into custody without anyone getting hurt. Officer Hardy went above and beyond to find information on Kearney’s location which resulted in the capture.

“Officer Hardy is to be commended for outstanding work that led to the capture of a wanted murderer.”

Martin commended A-Squad - Sergeant M. Moseley, officers S. Blythe, A. Green, C. Fortier and C. Hagbourne as well as Davis and Agent Chris Babb “for the quick response and the ability to set up a perimeter to ensnare Lester Kearney. The team effort enabled us to get an alleged murderer off the streets. The Roanoke Rapids Police Department should be proud to have these officers serving the citizens of Roanoke Rapids.”

Dr. Alford, 76, who was a clinical psychologist in Roanoke Rapids, was kidnapped and robbed in early March, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office has previously said.

The sheriff’s office said two masked intruders invaded the home on Mulberry Court.

One of the intruders drove Dr. Alford to an undisclosed State Employees' Credit Union branch in Roanoke Rapids and forced her to withdraw money from an ATM, while the second intruder stayed in the home with her husband, John, the sheriff’s office said.

Dr. Alford was driven back to the house on Lake Gaston, where the intruders beat her husband before setting fire to the house while the Alfords were tied up inside.

Kearney has an April 25 court date in Warren County while Munn has a May 9 court date.

Said Hasty following this evening’s city council meeting where the officers were honored: “Working together, communicating and coming up with a plan and executing the plan resulted in the safe capture of this individual.”

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Other commendations

Hasty honored Officer C. Batchelor for sealing up the window of a vehicle in which a rock was thrown through. Batchelor used plastic to seal the window as rain was in the forecast. “This man gained nothing from this act of kindness and went out of his way to benefit us,” one of the victim’s family members said in a social media post.

Bestowed a lifesaving award to Moseley and Green; firefighters Austin Jarrett, Ben Sloan, Ramah Long and Bryan Hollowell; and Halifax EMS paramedics Nate Zabel and Jordan Williams.

Captain Andy Bryant of the police department recommended the award after first responders on April 3 responded to a residence and found a woman who wasn’t breathing.

Green and Moseley administered CPR on the victim who was in cardiac arrest.

EMS arrived and after several minutes of resuscitative efforts by all responding the victim regained a pulse and respiration.

Named Officer Matt Hunsucker and Moseley officers of the quarter based on their arrest and DWI numbers as well as routinely going above and beyond the call of duty.

“We have some dedicated employees who go out there and do a job not knowing whether they are going to come home at the end of their shift,” Hasty said.