Featured Hero: Sylvia Brooks

February 27, 2020

I am the wife of Curtis Brooks and we have been married for 22 years. I have three children a son-in law and two beautiful grandchildren. I work at Danville Police Department I have been there for 23 years and 9 months. My current position is Youth Engagement Corporal.

Being a Police Officer is seen by all as a man’s job and because of this I have had in the past to prove that I was capable of doing the job as well as a man.

My children are my role models and I always want them to be proud of their mom so I work really hard on my job to make them proud to have a mom as a Police Officer.

I would say to other women seeking leadership position. Never give up. Pray often and go for it. I know that because of my faith I am doing a job I love.

When I was fresh out of Police Academy and I was released to do Patrol on my own I was dispatched to an alarm call at Value City Department Store. This was about the 5^th time that night that that same alarm had went off and our training at that time was to be ready for the unknown. Needless to say I was not ready but I was able to recover safely and we were able to catch that was hiding in the ceiling. If I could do that all over again I would be more focus from the start.

I consider my most significant accomplishment to be planning and putting on Danville’s 1^st Youth Police Academy.

Name: S. S. Brooks

Rank: Corporal

Hire Date: 06-01-1995

Years of Danville Police Department Service: 23

Years of Law Enforcement Service: 23

Formal Education: Piedmont Community College and Danville Community College

Job Assignments at Danville Police Department:

Patrol

Community Police

School Resource Officer

Youth Engagement Officer

Discussing Danville w/Josh

Featured Hero: Sylvia Brooks

Danville to be Represented at Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade

November 17, 2023

Discussing Danville w/Josh

Dr. Janet Phillips with Averett University stopped by to talk with Josh about her unique opportunity to be a part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade along with nearly 400 other band directors from around the country!

Check out the patch on her official Jacket!!

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State Champion GW Basketball Coach Jermaine Parker

April 23, 2019

Discussing Danville w/Josh

Josh had the pleasure to sit down with the Coach of George Washington High School's Men's basketball team Jermaine Parker.

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Featured Hero: Gary Pritchett

February 28, 2020

Discussing Danville w/Josh

[caption id="attachment_17884" align="alignleft" width="640"] PENTAX Image[/caption]

Mr. Garry Pritchett, Native of Danville/Pittsylvania County

Dan River High Class of 1977

Averett University Class of 1981

Lettered in four sports for multiple years in High school: Basketball, Football, Baseball and Track & Field

He assisted to establish a running club at Averett which lead to the establishment of a track team in 1978.

Dan River Most Valuable Player” award recipient in basketball 1977

Two time MVP in Track and Field, 1975 and 1976 at DRHS

Named DRHS Most Outstanding Male Athlete” in 1977

Garry qualified for the VA State Track and Field Championship for two years and as a junior, he won the 1976 VA State Long Jump Championship.

He was inducted into the Dan River HS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.

Garry attended Averett University where he was a standout athlete, and member of the student government. He was a 3 year resident advisor and active in multiple campus organizations. He was student leader and was inducted into the Averett Athletic Hall of Fame for Basketball, Track & Field and service to the university. He remains active with Averett and is always willing to volunteer when asked to support.

Garry has been very active in the local community. He has worked in human services with youth and families for over 30 years. He has worked with The First Tee of Danville for 14 years and served as the director for 8 years. He was also inducted into the Danville Bowling Association Hall of Fame for his bowling success along with his 15 years of service as a Junior Bowling Coach and Board Member for the Danville Bowling Association.

Garry continues to be active in the Danville community. He is currently with Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services as a Prevention Program Manager working with youth, facilitating parenting programs in the community and in the local corrections facilities and directing a program for pregnant moms and new moms with children birth to 5. He is also active with RASAP the Regional Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention.

When time has allowed, Garry has volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, God’s Store House and the United Way. He is active with his church Bible Way and has been active with supporting events that serve youth and adults in the community through public housing, Boys & Girls Club and Parks and Recreation.

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