A Day To Remember In Savannah, GA
At Vaden Nissan Savannah, the local community is important to us. We also believe it's important to celebrate those who vow to protect it, and that's just what we did on April 1.
Sgt. Dana Purvis - Supervisor of the Year
Sgt. Dana Purvis has been an officer at the Savannah Police Department for the past 11 1⁄2 years. She is originally from Miami, FL, but came to the Savannah area after her father was stationed here in the military. She joined the department in September 2007 and worked the streets of Savannah for approximately four years before becoming a property crimes investigator in 2011. Two years later, she became a Crime Suppression officer and then one year later a Crime Prevention Officer.
In 2016, Sgt. Purvis was promoted to sergeant. She is currently the Special Events Coordinator, where she coordinates all special events for the department, including the St. Patrick's Day Festival.
Sgt. Purvis has a Bachelor's of Arts in Business Administration specializing in management as well as two Master's degrees - one in Business Administration and another in Management and Leadership.
Detective Kaishawn Samuell - Detective of the Year
Detective Cpl. Kaishawn Samuell has been an officer at the Savannah Police Department for the past 12 years and is currently in the robbery unit. He is originally from Brooklyn, NY where his mother was an NYPD officer. In 2005, after serving seven years in the U.S. Army as a forward observer, he moved to Savannah. A year later he became a Savannah Police officer in the Central Precinct. He served as a property crimes investigator for two years before becoming a robbery detective in 2011.
Cpl. Sharif Lockett - Officer of the Year
Cpl. Shariff Lockett, who is a Savannah native, has been an officer with the Savannah Police Department for the past five years. He joined the Savannah Police Department in 2013 soon after graduating from Armstrong Atlantic State University with a Bachelor's of Science in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor's of Arts in Spanish. He is currently the Neighborhood Resource Officer for the Eastside Precinct and recently became a member of the Hostage and Negotiation Team.
Cpl. Lockett is a 2018 graduate of the Leadership in Police Organizations Course, is certified in Crisis Intervention Training for Youth and has been recognized by the National Institute of Crime Prevention as being certified with a Crime Prevention Designation in Crime Prevention through Environmental Design.
"Magic Marc" Dunston - Civilian of the Year
Marc Dunston, also known as Magic Marc, is a host, executive producer, author, magician, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is originally from Philadelphia and found a passion for magic at a young age. He has a Bachelor's of Science in Business Management and Marketing from Philadelphia University.
Mr. Dunston has had a number of accomplishments through his career, including hosting a television show, a summer camp, writing a book and creating the Magic Marc Foundation and the program The Magication of Education, a program focused on teaching literacy to young children.
In addition, he has been a friend to the Savannah Police Department. Mr. Dunston has assisted in multiple SPD events, performing magic and donating items to the children. He has assisted in the wrapping, packing, and delivery of gifts to children during our Christmas and Halloween events and has been a special guest for the PAL reading program in area schools.
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Sgt. Dana Purvis - Supervisor of the Year
Sgt. Dana Purvis has been an officer at the Savannah Police Department for the past 11 1⁄2 years. She is originally from Miami, FL, but came to the Savannah area after her father was stationed here in the military. She joined the department in September 2007 and worked the streets of Savannah for approximately four years before becoming a property crimes investigator in 2011. Two years later, she became a Crime Suppression officer and then one year later a Crime Prevention Officer.
In 2016, Sgt. Purvis was promoted to sergeant. She is currently the Special Events Coordinator, where she coordinates all special events for the department, including the St. Patrick's Day Festival.
Sgt. Purvis has a Bachelor's of Arts in Business Administration specializing in management as well as two Master's degrees - one in Business Administration and another in Management and Leadership.
Detective Kaishawn Samuell - Detective of the Year
Detective Cpl. Kaishawn Samuell has been an officer at the Savannah Police Department for the past 12 years and is currently in the robbery unit. He is originally from Brooklyn, NY where his mother was an NYPD officer. In 2005, after serving seven years in the U.S. Army as a forward observer, he moved to Savannah. A year later he became a Savannah Police officer in the Central Precinct. He served as a property crimes investigator for two years before becoming a robbery detective in 2011.
Cpl. Sharif Lockett - Officer of the Year
Cpl. Shariff Lockett, who is a Savannah native, has been an officer with the Savannah Police Department for the past five years. He joined the Savannah Police Department in 2013 soon after graduating from Armstrong Atlantic State University with a Bachelor's of Science in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor's of Arts in Spanish. He is currently the Neighborhood Resource Officer for the Eastside Precinct and recently became a member of the Hostage and Negotiation Team.
Cpl. Lockett is a 2018 graduate of the Leadership in Police Organizations Course, is certified in Crisis Intervention Training for Youth and has been recognized by the National Institute of Crime Prevention as being certified with a Crime Prevention Designation in Crime Prevention through Environmental Design.
"Magic Marc" Dunston - Civilian of the Year
Marc Dunston, also known as Magic Marc, is a host, executive producer, author, magician, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is originally from Philadelphia and found a passion for magic at a young age. He has a Bachelor's of Science in Business Management and Marketing from Philadelphia University.
Mr. Dunston has had a number of accomplishments through his career, including hosting a television show, a summer camp, writing a book and creating the Magic Marc Foundation and the program The Magication of Education, a program focused on teaching literacy to young children.
In addition, he has been a friend to the Savannah Police Department. Mr. Dunston has assisted in multiple SPD events, performing magic and donating items to the children. He has assisted in the wrapping, packing, and delivery of gifts to children during our Christmas and Halloween events and has been a special guest for the PAL reading program in area schools.
Your trusted Nissan dealership, along with the Exchange Club of Savannah, honored 4 community members at the Crime Fighters of the Year ceremony - a special event which took place at Carey Hilliard's Banquet Hall in Savannah. The ceremony was held to show appreciation for these outstanding men and women and to provide a memorable afternoon for the community. Learn more about this extraordinary event at your premier car dealership in Savannah, GA - Vaden Nissan Savannah.
Community Service Receives Recognition
Recognizing those who work an often-thankless job, the 4 awards given included Supervisor of the Year, Detective of the Year, Officer of the Year and Civilian of the Year.
The award for Supervisor of the Year went to Sgt. Dana Purvis, an officer with the Savannah Police Department (SPD) for over 11 years. Detective Kaishawn Samuell received Detective of the Year honors after 12 years with the SPD. Savannah native Cpl. Sharif Lockett received Officer of the Year honors after 5 years with the force, and Marc Dunston accepted Civilian of the Year honors. Also known as "Magic Marc", Dunston has assisted with several SPD events over the years and has gained recognition as a host, executive producer, author, magician, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
The Savannah, GA car dealership and Exchange Club of Savannah provided each recipient with a check and a customized plaque to commemorate their dedication and service. The Exchange Club of Savannah holds two banquets each year to honor the local heroes of Savannah. The Crime Fighters of the Year event is typically in April, and the First Responders of the Year event is usually held in October.
Get a closer look at our Crime Fighters of the Year Event by watching the video below.
More Than Just A Savannah GA, Car Dealership
While it's your home for all things Nissan in Savannah, Vaden Nissan Savannah reaches far beyond the automotive industry. It routinely seeks ways to help the community and recognize the heroes in the community.
Despite its involvement in the area, Vaden Nissan Savannah has still achieved unheard-of success as a car dealership in Savannah. Vaden Nissan Savannah is a part of Vaden Automotive, which is one of the largest woman-owned automotive dealership groups in the U.S. and supplies jobs to more than 600 employees.
Guests outside of the Savannah, GA area can visit one of the Vaden Automotive groups numerous dealerships, including locations in Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama. Call or stop by today.
Learn More About The Premier Nissan Dealership In Savannah, GA
Whether you're searching for a new car, a quality pre-owned vehicle or certified Nissan service and auto repair, Vaden Nissan Savannah is your home for a top-notch automotive experience. Guests can also begin their car-buying adventure from home on our Savannah, GA car dealership's user-friendly website.
Visit a Nissan dealership that's dedicated to the community and all of its local heroes. Visit Vaden Nissan Savannah today.
Learn More About Vaden Nissan Savannah Today
Stop by the preferred car dealership in Savannah today. Schedule a test-drive or auto service, or learn more about its continued community involvement. Call or stop by Vaden Nissan Savannah today.
