Selma Police Chief Billy Thomas has announced the 2018 Selma Police Officer of the Year. K-9 Officer Justin Vause was selected for the honor following a vote of all Selma police personnel.
Vause shared the award with his K-9 partner ‘Major’.
Officer Vause graduated from Smithfield Selma High School in 2004. He graduated from Basic Law Enforcement Technology at Johnston Community College. He worked for the Wilson and Clayton police departments before joining the Selma Police Department two years ago.
“We’re very glad he received the award,” Captain Jamie Hughes said. “He is a hard working officer and an asset to the Town of Selma.”
“Officer Justin Vause and Major, the canine member of our police team, were selected as the Selma Police Department’s Officers of the Year for a variety of reasons,” Mayor Cheryl Oliver stated. “Officer Vause has been very proactive in enforcing our laws and spends countless hours training Major to perform his duties. In addition to carrying out their regular duties, they can both often be found participating in community events and activities.”
“It’s a great honor,” Officer Vause told WTSB. “Growing up here in town and getting to work for the department is wonderful. It’s a great family atmosphere.”
Vause said his K-9 partner is trained in tracking, apprehension and narcotics detection.
Vause is the Secretary-Treasurer of the US Police K9 Association and a member of the Johnston County Fraternal Order of Police. He and his wife, Amy, have one daughter and live in the Cleveland community.
