Submitted photo Buckhannon Police Department Chief Matthew Gregory, far left, is shown with the sons and granddaughters of Virgil Miller during the eighth annual Webb Grubb Police Officer Recognition Day.

BUCKHANNON – The City of Buckhannon celebrated former members of the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Buckhannon Police Department and the Buckhannon Fire Department with the eighth annual Webb Grubb Police Officer Recognition Day and the 18th annual Friendly Way Day last week.

On May 14, the City of Buckhannon and the Buckhannon Police Department posthumously honored former Buckhannon Police Chief and Upshur County Sheriff Virgil Miller as part of the annual Webb Grubb Police Officer Recognition Day.

Miller served as the Chief of Police for the Buckhannon Police Department from 2001 to 2004. Among his many contributions to law enforcement, he served five terms as the Sheriff of Upshur County, according to a press release from the City of Buckhannon. 

Miller’s first and second terms were from 1989 to 1996, his third and fourth terms ran from 2005 to 2012 and his fifth term ran from 2021 to “End Of Watch in 2023.”

Among attendees were Miller’s family members and active and former serving police officers, “who all paid tribute to Miller’s commitment to law enforcement and the communities he served,” the City said in their statement.

Since 2017, the City of Buckhannon has paid tribute to police officers each Wednesday of the annual West Virginia Strawberry Festival. The City first honored Wilbert H. “Webb” Grubb, for whom this day of recognition is named.

The City added Miller to its “Wall of Blue”, which already honors Grubb, Lieutenant Keith Rowan, Chief Fred Gaudet, Lieutenant Darrell Bennett, Sheriff David Coffman, former police officer Buddy Ray Zickefoose and Chief Chesley Mearns.

On May 16, the City of Buckhannon also celebrated the 18th annual Friendly Way Day at the Buckhannon Fire Department by honoring retired Buckhannon Volunteer Firefighters Jim Gregory and Brian Hollen for “their exemplary service and dedication” to the city.

Gregory served from 1989 to 2008, and Hollen from 1994 to 2011. Each has contributed “immeasurably” to the community’s safety, well-being and spirit, the City of Buckhannon said in a press release.

In 2007, the Buckhannon City Council established Friendly Way Day to honor the late Carl R. “Bud” Bennett, also known as “Ole Friendly,” by dedicating the street in front of the fire department’s truck bay as Friendly Way. Each year, the City recognizes individuals whose public service reflects Bud’s spirit and kindness, the release stated.

As part of the ceremony, which also coincides with the Strawberry Festival, the City added Jim and Brian’s names to their “Red Wall” and “Buddy Bench” along Friendly Way, to ensure “their legacies continue to inspire future generations.”

Past Honorees include Bennett, Harley Brown, Buddy Ray Zickefoose, Paul Mackey, Jack Ford, Larry Mackey, Jerry Wilfong, Wyatt Long, Dave Long, Kevin Goodwin, Charlie Shaffer, Paul Morrison, Joe Bennett, Steve Thacker, Steve Long, Vaden Queen and Joey Slaughter.