Joe Simone
04-23-2008, 04:38 PM
Fired Surry deputy honored by Feds for Vick investigation
By Joel Sanderson Staff Writer
SURRY, VA -Former Surry investigator Bill Brinkman received a public service award last Friday for his work on the Michael Vick case.
Brinkman, 49, was fired without explanation in December from the Surry Sheriff's Office. The award served as "justification," Brinkman said, for all the work he did in that case and as an investigator. It's message was that "everything I did, I did it right."
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Chuck Rosenberg presented the award! Four state and federal law enforcement officials spoke about Brinkman's work, but three would only speak on the condition of anonymity. One official in attendance said that Rosenberg had positive things to say about Brinkman and his willingness to continue the investigation despite potential negative consequences, a view that official agreed with.
"(Brinkman) definitely took this case knowing in the back of his mind that something like (being fired) could have happened," the official said. "I think it speaks volumes that he was able to move along in the investigation knowing that he was running that risk."
Sheriff Harold Brown could not be reached for comment by press time.
Brinkman found out about the award on Thursday and was "overwhelmed" by the recognition and vindicated.
That Rosenberg singled him out for his "pursuit of justice while presenting the awards meant a lot as well," Brinkman said.
"Mr. Rosenburg even stated that I knew that I was going to get fired when I started this," Brinkman said.
The award was given at an event t recognize law enforcement members for their service to the community and to the law, Officers are nominated for previous year's work by an Assistant United States Attorney.
In January, Brinkman received an award from the USDA Office of the Inspector General for his work on the dogfighting case.
Senior Special Agent Jim Knorr in the inspector general's office of the USDA worked closely with Brinkman on the Vick case.
"He came to basically us, the fed government, the USDA, because he didn't think it was going to get prosecuted in the state," Knorr said: "He (showed) so much integrity. I just know he's going to come out so much better from this."
Knorr said he trusts Brinkman with his life. The two actually became good friends working on the case.
Brinkman's peers in the law enforcement community were complimentary of his work and his work ethic. The most common description of his attitude was "tenacity." Brinkman was willing to stay late to get the job done.
He put the job as a law enforcement person ahead of his personal well being or gain," the official who attended the award ceremony said: ". . .He went about it in an ethical way. Someone that can do that stands head and shoulders above anybody else."
There is "really nothing negative to be said," a federal enforcement member said. "Bill is an upstanding terrific guy. "It's certainly a shame the way things had to come to an end with his employment."
His work in the Vick case was given as a stark example of his tenacity.
"That's an investigation that a lot of people steered away from. He just kept on it and after it and didn't give up and saw it all the way through," the federal law official said.
A former co-worker in narcotics said that Brinkman is a hard worker who was trusted.
"That's the main thing in narcotics work, you have to trust (fellow officers)," he said. "There's a lot of things that we deal with everyday that we can't really discuss with (anyone else)."
Brinkman had the right mindset that he was going to get the criminal. While undercover, he was known as "Wild Bill" because or his wild hair.
Brinkman is now looking for jobs with a new law enforcement department. He said he wants to stay at a local level and he's willing to go anywhere to do that. He still lives in Surry. He previously received a public service award in 2005 for his work on a 15-member drug conspiracy. The award didn't just say something about his work on the Vick case, but also the way he investigates, Brinkman said.
"I guess it validates your work ethic and it validates what I stand for as far as honesty and truth," Brinkman said.
Reach Joel Sanderson at 357*3288 or jsanderson@Smithjieldtimes.com
By Joel Sanderson Staff Writer
SURRY, VA -Former Surry investigator Bill Brinkman received a public service award last Friday for his work on the Michael Vick case.
Brinkman, 49, was fired without explanation in December from the Surry Sheriff's Office. The award served as "justification," Brinkman said, for all the work he did in that case and as an investigator. It's message was that "everything I did, I did it right."
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Chuck Rosenberg presented the award! Four state and federal law enforcement officials spoke about Brinkman's work, but three would only speak on the condition of anonymity. One official in attendance said that Rosenberg had positive things to say about Brinkman and his willingness to continue the investigation despite potential negative consequences, a view that official agreed with.
"(Brinkman) definitely took this case knowing in the back of his mind that something like (being fired) could have happened," the official said. "I think it speaks volumes that he was able to move along in the investigation knowing that he was running that risk."
Sheriff Harold Brown could not be reached for comment by press time.
Brinkman found out about the award on Thursday and was "overwhelmed" by the recognition and vindicated.
That Rosenberg singled him out for his "pursuit of justice while presenting the awards meant a lot as well," Brinkman said.
"Mr. Rosenburg even stated that I knew that I was going to get fired when I started this," Brinkman said.
The award was given at an event t recognize law enforcement members for their service to the community and to the law, Officers are nominated for previous year's work by an Assistant United States Attorney.
In January, Brinkman received an award from the USDA Office of the Inspector General for his work on the dogfighting case.
Senior Special Agent Jim Knorr in the inspector general's office of the USDA worked closely with Brinkman on the Vick case.
"He came to basically us, the fed government, the USDA, because he didn't think it was going to get prosecuted in the state," Knorr said: "He (showed) so much integrity. I just know he's going to come out so much better from this."
Knorr said he trusts Brinkman with his life. The two actually became good friends working on the case.
Brinkman's peers in the law enforcement community were complimentary of his work and his work ethic. The most common description of his attitude was "tenacity." Brinkman was willing to stay late to get the job done.
He put the job as a law enforcement person ahead of his personal well being or gain," the official who attended the award ceremony said: ". . .He went about it in an ethical way. Someone that can do that stands head and shoulders above anybody else."
There is "really nothing negative to be said," a federal enforcement member said. "Bill is an upstanding terrific guy. "It's certainly a shame the way things had to come to an end with his employment."
His work in the Vick case was given as a stark example of his tenacity.
"That's an investigation that a lot of people steered away from. He just kept on it and after it and didn't give up and saw it all the way through," the federal law official said.
A former co-worker in narcotics said that Brinkman is a hard worker who was trusted.
"That's the main thing in narcotics work, you have to trust (fellow officers)," he said. "There's a lot of things that we deal with everyday that we can't really discuss with (anyone else)."
Brinkman had the right mindset that he was going to get the criminal. While undercover, he was known as "Wild Bill" because or his wild hair.
Brinkman is now looking for jobs with a new law enforcement department. He said he wants to stay at a local level and he's willing to go anywhere to do that. He still lives in Surry. He previously received a public service award in 2005 for his work on a 15-member drug conspiracy. The award didn't just say something about his work on the Vick case, but also the way he investigates, Brinkman said.
"I guess it validates your work ethic and it validates what I stand for as far as honesty and truth," Brinkman said.
Reach Joel Sanderson at 357*3288 or jsanderson@Smithjieldtimes.com