The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the new Franklin County Animal Shelter. Additionally, E911 Dispatcher Megan Shiner received an award for her commitment to the Franklin County community during the month of July. Melissa Cundiff, Assistant Director for the Communications Center, describes Megan as someone who “embodies the genuine and tireless spirit of serving others.” Lastly, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is helping the Virginia DMV promote a message about seatbelt safety, since the number of unrestrained fatalities in motor vehicle accidents has increased.
The New Franklin County Animal Shelter is Now Open
The Franklin County Animal Shelter is officially completed. The $1.4 million facility is brightly lit with plenty of natural lighting, and it has a floor plan that is incredibly easy to navigate. At 6,000 square feet, the new facility is more than three times the size of the previous shelter, which was built in the early 1970’s.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by the Franklin County Board of Supervisors, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Public Safety, Angels of Assisi, Franklin County Humane Society, and many more.
E911 Dispatcher Wins Award
WoodmenLife and the Franklin County Communication Center/Sheriff’s Office would like to recognize Megan Shiner for her commitment to the Franklin County community during the month of July. Giving of oneself is the greatest gift anyone can ever give. Below, Melissa Cundiff, Assistant Director for the Communications Center, speaks on the gift that Megan shares with her community and her co-workers:
Megan is a remarkable and extraordinary asset to this department. She has shown a consistent pattern of delivering exceptional customer service and embodies the genuine and tireless spirit of serving others in the way she engages with her co-workers and citizens. She has distinguished herself with courtesy, friendliness, empathy, enthusiasm, hard work and determination. She by word and deed, makes a lasting impression on both citizens and her fellow teammates each who are inspired to emulate the effort and attitude of her. There is not a single child that has come into the center or met her at an event that has not immediately taken to her and begged to come again to “hang out” with her. She has a presence that brings calm to a chaotic room.
She has also been an incredibly dependable Communications Officer for the department. Willing to switch her shifts to accommodate the needs of the center. She has proven time and time again to be an exemplary team player, a willing and cheerful colleague for her fellow Communications Officers and a very positive and enthusiastic presence in the Communication Center. She has taken on the role of Community Outreach Coordinator and soared to new levels with this position. She is going out to events to educate the public while finding ways to promote the Communications Officers and Center as a whole. She works tirelessly being involved in our community so many ways from helping families in need, promoting unity among other communication organizations, and currently collecting supplies for the new animal shelter along with helping with operation- “Light it up green” supporting Mental Health Awareness.
Megan started with our department on October 11, 2017. She received her degree from Marshall University and 911 dispatching was not on the top of her career goals. She met her now fiancée Casey and applied for a position here, we loved her from the beginning and so glad she made the decision to call the Office of the Sheriff- Count of Franklin home. We are glad we have her in our family.
On behalf and myself and WoodmenLife, thank you Megan Shiner for all that you do in helping our community be a better place.
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Shares Message from Virginia DMV
While overall traffic deaths have decreased in Virginia recently due to the pandemic, more people are dying in unbelted crashes. When comparing data between January 1 – June 30 in 2019 and 2020, unrestrained fatalities increased nearly 16% this year.
In response, Virginia DMV is promoting a buckle up educational campaign from now through the end of July.