New Martinsville Mayor Sandy Hunt welcomed Senator Charles Clements at the April 4 city council meeting to make a special presentation recognizing New Martinsville Police Chief Tim Cecil, whom Clements nominated as a member to the state board for the Medal of Valor selection board.
Clements said the new board recognizes first responders efforts throughout the state, and two members will be selected from each of the 17 senatorial districts. The WV State Senate serves the unique legislative role of confirming nominations, noted Clements.
“You might call it the Hall of Fame of first responders here in the state of West Virginia,” Clements said.
Senators from each district in the mountain state appointed first responders of their area to be overseers for those worthy of receiving the Medal of Valor. Police Chief Tim Cecil will be one of the founding members of this newly-created board.
“This is an honor because this is for a medal of valor, which I’ve already won,” Cecil said. “So now, I get to sit on a board for the state of West Virginia to see other officers that go above and beyond who also are recognized for their work and for the jobs they’ve done.”
It was noted that the opportunity to share experiences with other helping hands across the state will only branch the knowledge Cecil brings back to Wetzel County.
“Between doctors, police chiefs, nurses, fire chiefs, and sheriffs, there’s just many different people I’ll get to meet and kick stuff around with,” Cecil said.
The Medal is awarded to those who go the extra mile among response units. Cecil was selected as one of the best fits to help determine who deserves such an honor.
“He is an example of the kind of people that we need,” Clements said. “He’s always available. First to go in and the last to come out. He has done an admirable job as the chief of police. He will do a wonderful job serving on this board to see what people do and see those who go above and beyond the call of duty.”
Cecil will take his new position immediately and will hold it until at least 2025.
