Associate Justice Paul Newby of the N.C. Supreme Court and state Rep. Sarah Stevens are scheduled to attend a gathering Sunday in Mount Airy honoring local police.
The public is invited to the event sponsored by the group Friends of the Mount Airy Police Department, which will involve a memorial service. It begins Sunday at 3 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church.
“We’re recognizing the Mount Airy Police Department, but it’s also in recognition of National Law Enforcement Week,” Cathy Stevens of the sponsoring group explained Friday afternoon regarding an annual observance that will coincide with Sunday’s service.
Justice Newby and Rep. Stevens will be special guest speakers for the event.
A reception is planned afterward in the church located at 314 S. Franklin Road.
Rep. Stevens serves the 90th House District in the N.C. General Assembly, which includes Surry and Wilkes counties. The Republican legislator, a longtime Mount Airy attorney, is now in her fifth term in the House of Representatives and earlier this year was elected as its speaker pro tempore, the second in command behind Speaker Tim Moore.
Justice Newby, a native of Asheboro, was first elected to the state Supreme Court in 2004. In 2012, Newby won re-election to a second eight-year term, defeating Sam Ervin IV.
Cathy Stevens, the sister-in-law of Sarah Stevens, serves as secretary of the Friends of the Mount Airy Police Department. The law enforcement support group was formed in 2011 to provide extra equipment and otherwise aid city police.
In addition to the speakers and other activities during Sunday’s event at Calvary Baptist Church, winning posters created by local students as part of a contest honoring National Law Enforcement Week are to be displayed.
Other activities are planned throughout next week in honor of that observance, which Cathy Stevens says has a simple goal:
“Just to recognize law enforcement and what they do, and how they sacrifice their lives daily to keep us protected,” Stevens said.
