Regional Jails Acquire New Leadership and Present Correctional Officer Awards

​CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Regional Jail Authority recently announced the appointment of John J. Sheeley as Administrator for the Eastern Regional Jail. Mr. Sheeley comes to the West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority with a great amount of experience; having retired as a Major after 25 years with the Maryland Division of Corrections followed by six years as Associate Warden of Programming with the West Virginia Division of Corrections.

Larry Parsons, Executive Director of the West Virginia Regional Jail Authority, said, “We are pleased to welcome John to our team and look forward to the leadership and insight that his years of experience will bring to the agency.”

“As we welcome Mr. Sheeley, it is appropriate to also take this opportunity to commend some of our facilities’ exemplary employees,” said Parsons.

The Regional Jail Authority’s employee awards program went into effect on June 30, 2005, and was developed to ensure Regional Jail employees are properly recognized for acts of heroism, bravery or other notable accomplishments. The following correctional officers were recently recognized with various awards:

 From South Central Regional Jail, Correctional Officer II Brandon Ramsey received the Medal of Lifesaving. This medal is awarded to an employee who acts to save or preserve the life or lives that would have expired without the direct intervention by the employee.

 From the Eastern Regional Jail, Correctional Officer II Kenneth Morrison and Correctional Officer II Strider Ouimet were each awarded the Director’s Certificate of Commendation for exemplary conduct, efficiency and fidelity.

 From North Central Regional Jail, Correctional Officer II Ryan Thomas received the Distinguished Service Medal for exemplary conduct, efficiency and fidelity.

 From the Potomac Highlands Regional Jail, Correctional Officer II Douglas Norris and Correctional Officer II Jeremy Franks were each awarded the Director’s Certificate of Commendation for exemplary conduct, efficiency and fidelity.

 From the Southern Regional Jail Correctional Officer II Travis Crook was awarded the Director’s Certificate of Commendation for exemplary conduct, efficiency and fidelity. Correctional Officer II Pamela Keffer and Maintenance Personnel Daren Morgan were both awarded the Medal of Lifesaving for acting to save or preserve the life or lives that would have expired without the direct intervention by the employee.

 From the Tygart Valley Regional Jail, Correctional Officer II Matthew A. Bennett, Correctional Officer II David W. Bickel, II and Correctional Officer II Cynthia J. Martin were each awarded the Authority’s Good Conduct Medal; Correctional Officer II Vicki Lantz, Correctional Officer II Samantha Meeks, Correctional Officer I James McFarlan, and Correctional Officer I Eric Griffith were each awarded the Authority’s Medal of Lifesaving; and Correctional Officer II David W. Bickel, II and Correctional Officer II Matthew A. Bennett were each awarded the Director’s Commendation Medal.

 From the Western Regional Jail, Correctional Counselor II Jo Moore and Correctional Counselor II Jason Sea were each awarded the Authority’s Good Conduct Medal for exemplary conduct, efficiency and fidelity.