State Sen. Mark Peake praises law enforcement at Liberty University’s fifth annual appreciation event

Liberty University’s Helms School of Government and School of Law honored local and area law enforcement agencies at their annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon on Tuesday afternoon in the law school’s Mountain View Room.

Guests included representatives from the Blue Ridge Jail Authority, Lynchburg Police Department, Bedford County Police Department, Altavista Police Department, and the Virginia State Police.

The fifth consecutive appreciation event featured keynote speaker Virginia State Sen. Mark Peake, with remarks from Dean of the School of Government Jason Bohm, Dean of Liberty Law Timothy Todd, and Executive Director of the Center for Excellence in Criminal Justice Mike Milnor.

Peake, a defense attorney who has represented Virginia’s 8th District in the general assembly since 2017, currently serves on several committees, including Court of Justice, Commerce and Labor, Education and Health, and Rules. In April, Peake was elected as chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.

During his keynote, Peake told law enforcement officials that many leaders in the commonwealth deeply admire their daily commitments to honor and integrity.

“Law enforcement is one of the things that always keeps our society together, and you’re not always appreciated during certain periods we’ve seen in the past,” said Peake, reminding officers of the defund the police campaigns that swept over the country following what he called the George Floyd Revolution. “I truly value, honor, and trust what you guys do.”

Peake reminded attendees that the Virginia State Police still has a recruiting deficit of 300, and that Virginia has been working on recruiting officers, increasing pay for deputies and troopers, and making careers in law enforcement competitive.

“You have friends right now (in Virginia),” he said. “Virginia has been focusing on the bold blue line. … We have to respect the fact that there are people willing to risk their lives to defend us.”

The Helms School of Government recently announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Virginia State Police that creates a seamless pathway for students to complete their degrees while beginning their careers. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin helped celebrate the partnership on campus in September.

This year’s appreciation luncheon holds special weight, as departments across campus celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence.

“We are looking at 250 years of this country, and without our great law enforcement officers, we wouldn’t have this country,” Peake said. “We are able to rest at night because you guys never rest. That’s how we’re able to get our business done — because y’all get your business done.”

Part of Tuesday’s ceremony included presenting each agency with a plaque of appreciation for protecting their respective communities and providing unique service opportunities for Liberty’s criminal justice students.

Milnor said Liberty is always willing to assist law enforcement through the Center of Excellence in Criminal Justice — home to the Command College and the Frontline Leadership Program — which recently graduated their second class of cohorts.

“We are going to be reaching out to everybody represented in this room and beyond as we move forward to see exactly what we can do to serve you and to make the entire system of criminal justice better, especially for our law enforcement community,” he said.

Senior high school students from Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy in Moneta, Va., presented officials with cards and handwritten letters, as they have done in previous years.

“You don’t get an easy job. You signed up, and you’re willing to do one of the hardest jobs we can imagine,” said SMLCA senior Andy Gordon. “I want to say thank you for keeping our streets safe and keeping our communities where they need to be. … Thank you to every one of you officers who’s willing to lay their life on the ground for people like me and everyone else.”

“People may not say it often, but your tasks really do matter,” said Piper-Kate McLamb, also a senior from SMLCA. “Each day, you wake up unaware of what the day will bring, whether it be a sobbing teenager who was pulled over for their first time or a more stressful situation. No matter what, you show up to protect people you don’t even know and to serve our community. That not only takes bravery and courage, it also takes a servant’s heart.”