Police officer Mark Kearney, known to those in the literary world as "Book 'Em Mark" received two awards during the week of January 17.

On Thursday, January 20, 2005, Officer Kearney was presented with the Celebrate Literacy Award by the Shenandoah Valley Reading Council for his work in promoting literacy and highlighting the correlation between high illiteracy rates and high crime rates.

The award was presented by Anne Kendrick, a second grade teacher in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

And on Friday, January 21, Officer Kearney was presented with the Police Officer of the Year Award by Doug Davis, Chief of Police in Waynesboro, Virginia, for his outstanding work in the community.

Chief Davis has been an ardent supporter of Book 'Em and is on the forefront of a movement to increase literacy skills in an effort to reduce crime.

Congratulations, Officer Kearney! You deserved both awards for all your hard work and dedication! 

Officer Kearney makes headlines reading to school children in Waynesboro, Virginia.

On December 13, The Staunton News Leader also ran a front page story entitled "Police Push Kids to Pick up a Book" about the new program launched by the Waynesboro Police Department, where officers are dispatched to elementary schools to read to children. There have been numerous studies documenting the correlation between high illiteracy rates and high crime rates.

Students also learn about the jobs police officers do.