The Colonial Virginia Council and the Colonial Trail District honored Suffolk Police Chief Thomas Bennett at their annual Hometown Heroes Breakfast on Wednesday.

“It’s an honor that they would recognize me,” Bennett said. “I was really excited, because I was a Boy Scout for a lot of my childhood.”

Bennett is an Eagle Scout, and he has lived most of his life according to Boy Scout values.
“It’s been a big part of my life, and I have really enjoyed it,” Bennett said. “It really did make me a better person. Scouting does a lot for kids, and it builds character.”

Those that are a part of the Colonial Trail District believe that Bennett is the perfect person for the award, because he does so much for the community and he has a connection to Scouting.

“This is our way to recognize heroes in the community,” said Colonial Trail District Director Zachary Oman. “We pick individuals with a great impact on the community, and it’s especially great to pick people with a connection to Scouting.”

Oman believes that exemplifies the values of the Scouts — duty to God and country, help others at all times, keep themselves physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

“We are here to recognize one of our own, and he continues to live by the values,” District Chairman Dean Gould said. “When you think of a hero, you think of Wonder Woman or Superman. Those people exemplify patriotism and integrity, and that is what our honoree does.”

Multiple City Council members, including Donald Goldberg, Robert Fawcett and Mike Duman, were in attendance at the event. Duman is also an Eagle Scout, and he was a past winner of the Hometown Heroes award.

“His career and childhood show that he deserves this,” Fawcett said of Bennett. “It’s a great honor for him because of all the things he has done for not just Suffolk but all of Hampton Roads.”

“He has an excellent background and he has done a wonderful job in this city,” Goldberg said.

After Bennett accepted his award, he recounted some of his best memories through his time as a Scout, and he reminded those in attendance that being involved with the Boy Scouts is beneficial to the youth in the community.

“My father pushed me to learn and experience a lot of things, and I did that with the Scouts,” Bennett said.