Law Day 2012 Celebrations Include Liberty Bell Award, Student Essay Contests, Officer Awards

Matt McCoyd and Ms. Keinya Dorsett with Law Day Student Essay Contest winners: Rolincia Farris, second place; Sierra Ponder, fourth place; Roderic Ball, first place; and Chase Blake, third place.

The DeKalb Bar Association celebrated Law Day throughout the month of May. Law Day is officially celebrated on May 1 of each year by bar associations, courts, judges, and legal professionals across the country. Law Day was established in 1958 by the American Bar Association to bring attention to the principles and practice of American law and justice.

The DeKalb Bar presented the Liberty Bell Award to Chris Billingsley, a long-time and beloved teacher of social studies at Decatur High School, retiring after 36 years. The Liberty Bell Award honors a lay person in our community who encourages community members to respect the laws and legal system and to learn more about and take an active role in our American justice system.

Thanks to enthusiastic DeKalb County students and the support of their teachers, administrators and parents, winning Law Day essay contest entries were honored at the DeKalb Bar Association’s luncheon on May 12. Essay winners are Roderic Ball, first place; Rolincia Farris, second place; Chase Blake, third place; and Sierra Ponder, fourth place.

DeKalb County Solicitor-General Sherry Boston presented the Officer Of The Year award to Sgt. Dave Brown. This award recognizes a deserving DeKalb County police officer for outstanding achievement that brings credit to the department and that involves performance well above and beyond that which is required by an officer’s basic assignment.

Detective Keith McQuilkin, Officer Janice S. Sutton, and Officer Deryck L. Gallegos received Outstanding Service awards.

DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis issued a proclamation declaring the month of May as law month in DeKalb County.