Continuing the tradition of service that Jeanne E. Bray made to the law enforcement community, the NRA has announced three recipients of the 2006 Jeanne E. Bray Scholarships. This program was established in memory of a distinguished police officer, and to help children of law enforcement officers achieve their educational goals. Since the inception of the program in 1988, NRA has awarded just under $500,000 to 91 students.
Jessica Elizabeth Hammond of Alachua, FL |
Michael Alan Douthit of Shippenville, PA |
Bryce Patrick Fargher of St. Helens, OR |
The three recipients will receive $1,000 scholarships for up to eight semesters for a total of $8,000. Those students include: Jessica Elizabeth Hammond of Alachua, FL; Michael Alan Douthit of Shippenville, PA; and Bryce Patrick Fargher of St. Helens, OR.
Commenting on his award, Fargher said, "When I first found out that I was selected as a winner of this scholarship, I was overwhelmed for receiving such an honor," Fargher said. "The very thought that this was from the NRA, the national defender of our right to bear arms, gave me such a thrill."
The runner-up for the Jeanne E. Bray Scholarship was Nicole Marie Middleton of Jessieville, AR. She will receive a $500 scholarship for up to eight semesters for a total of $4,000.
Bray was a nationally recognized authority on self-protection and personal safety, and an NRA Board member. A veteran of the Columbus Division of Police, she made groundbreaking strides for women in law enforcement. She was the first female officer to participate in the detectives' bureau training program and became a detective trainee. She was the first woman assigned to the burglary squad and was a homicide detective at the time of her death.
Bray was also an accomplished pistol shooter. She was the first female officer to earn the NRA Police Pistol Marksmanship "Distinguished" bar. She won the Women's Police Pistol Championship five times and competed on the Columbus, OH pistol team.
The qualities of hard work and devotion to duty that Bray had when keeping the Columbus streets safe are found in the 2006 scholarship winners. Ron Kirkland, Director of NRA's Law Enforcement Activities Division, said that this year's winners are all at the top of their class. "These kids tend to have extremely high grade point averages," he commented. "All of our applicants have a very impressive academic background. To be chosen for this means that you’ve beaten out some of the brightest young students currently in or bound for college."
For more information on the requirements for the 2007 Jeanne E. Bray Scholarship, please call or e-mail Sandy Elkin at (703) 267-1131 or selkin@nrahq.org. Also visit www.nrahq.org/law/lebenefits.asp.
NRA Law Enforcement Training Endowment
NRA's Law Enforcement Activities Division is committed to enhancing the professional skills of law enforcement officers through state-of-the-art training, competitive shooting programs, and benefits. Many of these programs are made possible through The NRA Foundation's Law Enforcement Training Endowment, which is supported especially by major contributions from Davidson's, Brownell's, and the following named endowments: Bruce Nelson, Harry and Florence Reeves, Harlon B. and Maryann Carter, and Component Engineers, Inc. Acorn Fund. For information on contributing to any of these endowments, call 1-877-NRA-GIVE.