Photo by Joselyn King Jack McNeely, director of the Governor’s Safety Program in West Virginia, presents GSP awards to local law enforcement in Region 4 during a luncheon at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in East Wheeling.

WHEELING – Jack McNeely, director of the Governor’s Safety Program in West Virginia, has some advice for those traveling this Memorial Day weekend.

“Put your phone down, buckle up and slow down,” he said. “If you do that, you’ll increase your chances of safely getting from Point A to Point B.”

The GSP handed out awards to local law enforcement in Region 4 on Thursday to commend their efforts at keeping unsafe drivers off the road. The presentations took place at the Scottish Rite Temple in East Wheeling.

He explained Melissa Pajak, northern coordinator for the GSP, has been working closely with law enforcement in the region to get them involved in the program. The officers agree to work overtime shifts funded by the GSP to enforce against impaired driving.

“We try to change driver behaviors,” McNeely continued. “The Governor’s Highway Safety Program pays law enforcement agencies for their officers’ work to work overtime.

“It could be to watch for speeding, or ‘click it or ticket’ and wearing seat belts, or distracted driving.”

He noted that Memorial Day kicks off the “100 days of summer” – the deadliest time on America’s roadways.

“The kids are out of school. There’s vacation, and there’s more traffic on the roads,” McNeely said.

The officers were given trophies for their efforts in the following areas:

Top Agency for Region 4

1) Wheeling Police Department

2) Benwood Police Department

3) Hancock County Sheriff’s Office

4) Ohio County Sheriff’s Office

5) Glen Dale Police Department

Most Governor’s Highway Safety Program Hours Worked (1st Place): Zach Herron, Wheeling Police Department.

DUI Enforcement (1st Place) – Brandon Palmeri, Weirton Police Department

DUI Enforcement (2nd Place) – Gary Myers, Weirton Police Department

Speed Enforcement (1st Place) – Donald Longstreth, Benwood Police Department

Speed Enforcement (2nd Place) – Gerald Mitchell, Wheeling Police Department

Target Red Enforcement (1st Place) – Gerald Mitchell, Wheeling Police Department

Target Red Enforcement (2nd Place) – Joseph Pyles, Moundsville Police Department

Aggressive Driving (1st Place) – Gerald Mitchell, Wheeling Police Department

Seat Belt Enforcement (1st Place) – Gerald Mitchell, Wheeling Police Department

Seat Belt Enforcement (2nd Place) – Patrick Ryan, Wheeling Police Department

Distracted Driving Enforcement (1st Place) – Branden Brooks, Ohio County Sheriff’s Office

Distracted Driving Enforcement (2nd Place) – Zach Herron, Wheeling Police Department.

Fugitive Arrests (1st Place) – Douglas Wade, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.

Fugitive Arrests (2nd Place) – Chance Weyand, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office

Citations Written (1st Place) – Gerald Mitchell, Wheeling Police Department

Citations Written (2nd Place) – Zach Herron, Wheeling Police Department.

McNeely reported the efforts appear to be effective at reducing numbers in the most recent crime statistics pertaining to unsafe driving practices.

Statewide numbers for the fiscal year 2024 showed there were 256 driving-related fatalities in West Virginia, and that that was the lowest figure ever, he said.

McNeely added the 2025 numbers now concluding are even lower at 229.

The local Region 4 data, meanwhile, shows 21 fatalities in 2024 and 18 as the 2025 fiscal year comes to a close.