Lexington’s Urban County Council gave their thanks to an influential law enforcement officer at Tuesday’s meeting.
Officer Debbie Wagner was given a standing ovation by the council and a large crowd of police. Part of the LPD for nearly four decades, she is best known for presiding over every class of the Citizen’s Police Academy, a program that provides Lexington residents with hands on experience and classroom instruction about law enforcement. Councilmember Peggy Henson, who graduated from CPA’s second class in 1997, praised Wagner's leadership.
“Debbie’s dedication to our community and the police department is one of a kind. We could not have had a better person to develop the academy and make it so successful,” she said.
Assistant Chief Lawrence Weathers highlighted CPA’s effect on police/community relations, and thanked Officer Wagner for making it possible.
“It’s made us human. It’s made us real people to the citizens of Lexington-Fayette County. I’m honored and proud to know that Debbie, Officer Wagner, helped create that. She made that for us. She made us who we are today,” he said.
After being read a commemoration from the mayor listing her accomplisments, Wagner received thunderous applause from the Council, law enforcement personnel, and the many attending CPA alumni. She retires in January.
