Some people have said Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown is "obsessed" with protecting kids; something he makes no quarrel with.
"We're (the sheriff's department) obsessed with it and I'm delighted to say we are," said Brown.
On Thursday, Brown was once again recognized for his work as a voice for children when he was presented with a state proclamation for his efforts and leadership in collecting child support for Bedford's children.
"It's just so disheartening and sad to see some of these children doing without," he said.
Nick Young, the Director of Virginia Division of Child Support Enforcement who came in from Richmond to give Brown the award, agrees.
"Look at our economic times. We need children to grow up to be great citizens and if they can't get the money for medical, food, clothing, graduate high school - they won't make very good citizens in this county or anywhere in America."
Statewide, officials collect roughly 62% of the funds owed to children. In Bedford County, that number is 80%.
"The credit goes to the men and women of this department and to those in social services," says Brown.
In all, Brown's department has helped more than 2,500 Bedford County kids collect their child support payments this year.
"We don't have to ask Sheriff Mike Brown for enhanced law enforcement, " adds Young. "It stays active here all the time and he (Brown) stays active all the time."
In Virginia, 25% or 450,000 children qualify for child support with only 62% collected. In all, more than 2.5 billion dollars in financial support is owed children.
"He's (Brown) made it clear to the citizens of Bedford County that if your going to live in this wonderful county, you're going to pay your child support," said Young.
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