Central Virginia Community College
Operation Blue Ridge Thunder is Coming to CVCC
Lynchburg, VA /Media Release/ -- Sergeant Rodney L. Thompson will address the growing problems of pedophiles and the internet at a public forum on Wednesday, November 15, from noon to 2:00 PM in Merritt Hall on CVCC’s Lynchburg Campus. Thompson works for the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) as Sergeant/Investigator to Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children known as Operation Blue Ridge Thunder.
The BCSO began Operation Blue Ridge Thunder in 1998, a task force dedicated to tracking and arresting individuals involved in the creation, marketing, and distributing of child pornography and those who solicit minors for illicit purposes. The success of the task force gained local national and international attention early on. By October of 1998 the U.S. Department of Justice awarded the BCSO a $200,000 grant to continue their efforts.
Thompson graduated from CVCC with an Associates Degree in Administration of Justice. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice at Radford University and is a graduate of the Central Virginia Criminal Justice Academy prior to becoming a Virginia Certified Police Officer.
Thompson was a recipient of Virginia Sheriff’s Association Medal of Valor Award in 1999 while serving under the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office. That same year Thompson was the runner-up for National Deputy of the Year. He has also been decorated with Purple Heart awards from the Campbell County Sheriffs Office, the Military Order of Police Association, and the National Sheriff’s Association.
Thompson joined the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Investigations Division in 2003 after serving six years in Campbell County as Master Deputy, Road Deputy, and member of S.W.A.T. He is currently in charge of working with all cyber tip lines generated through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and has investigated over 1000 cases involving child pornography and online solicitation.
The forum is sponsored by the Chi Lambda Chi Club in connection with CVCC’s Administration of Justice and is open to the public free of charge.
Related Links
Release Date: 3:00 PM (EDT) 11/03/06
Release Number: 061103.blueridgethunder
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Media Contact:
Kennan J. Meyer
Coordinator, Public Relations and Marketing
Central Virginia Community College
(434) 832-7609
Copyright © 2006 Central Virginia Community College. All Rights Reserved.
A Member Institution of the Virginia Community College System.