KINSTON, N.C. — A North Carolina police department is mourning the loss of one of their own -- a man they describe as one of its “finest officers."
Officer Levi Simmons is known around the state as the longest-serving, certified active-duty officer in North Carolina, according to our news partner WCTI.
“Officer Simmons served through harsh times and through that strived to be a positive role model in the community,” a Kinston Police Department statement said. “He astonishingly succeeded in doing that and touching the lives of many officers, staff, and community members.”
In a statement, the Kinston Police Department listed some of Simmons' achievements.
In 1970, early in his career, he was voted “Policeman of the Year” while he was working for the Jacksonville Police Department. He later received recognition from the state attorney general for his Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate “for dedication and performance by the N.C. Criminal Justice Training and Standards Council.”
He has received 18 accommodation letters, 12 commendation awards and attended nearly 300 law enforcement training programs and courses throughout his career.
Simmons spent 30 years working for the Kinston Police Department before retiring. Kinston Police Chief Tim Dilday told WCTI Simmons never stopped being a public servant.
“Although he officially retired, he never did. He maintained his servant’s heart throughout his life,” Dilday said. “He was the guy that had your back and as things progressed and time went on, we had his.”
After retiring, Simmons went on to join the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office. He was still working there when he died at 77 years old.
“Levi is the type of man people should strive to be like,” Lenoir County Sheriff Ronnie Ingram said. “You hear the term public servant and that’s a good definition for him.”