Within the past year, Senior Investigator Bill Gibbs, a 27-year veteran, has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to duty and investigative expertise. Investigator Gibbs is a “Team Player” as witnessed by his strong ability and drive to assist others. He can be counted on to take charge or fill-in as the official “officer-in-charge” when needed. His talents and efforts are witnessed everyday not only in the way he investigate cases but, also his drive to accomplish what he started, no matter how much time it will take. He takes on new assignments without hesitation. In the majority of his cases, the victims have suffered extraordinary loss of assets or theft of their identities. He realizes every case he is assigned is vital to clear, not only for him, but most importantly the victims.
The Commonwealth Attorney’s Office along with Adult Protective Service relies on his expert approach in investigating complex fraud cases and internet based crimes. On several occasions, he was specifically asked for by the Williamsburg/James City County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office to investigate sensitive fraud cases. He has a true talent for retrieving critical information and evidence from computers and computer storage devices.
Investigator Gibbs is always willing and eager to assist anyone that requires it. He has often put his own work aside to help other investigators and officers. He is sought out by patrol officers for guidance on how to proceed with investigations involving computers and/or fraud. He supports the Department’s community services efforts by participating in Big Brother Big Sister luncheons, National Night Out, and the 3rd Annual Rita Welsh Adult Literacy Program Shred-a-thon. Investigator Gibbs monitors the police radio at his desk and on several occasions he has left the building to respond to emergency calls for service and officers needing assistance. Most recently, during the aftermath of a bank robbery, he was asked to come back on duty after going home sick earlier. He responded without hesitation to the bank to assist his fellow investigators. Investigator Gibbs’ can-do attitude and willingness to assist is appreciated by his supervisors and coworkers alike.
Investigator Gibbs has done more than just perform his duties as a White Collar Crimes Investigator. Throughout the past year, he gave several presentations on internet safety to various civic and community organizations; to include several school PTAs, neighborhood homeowner’s associations and churches in the community. Additionally, he is assigned as a sworn deputized agent with the FBI Peninsula Innocent Images Task force and the SOVA Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
He was the first James City County investigator to develop a child pornography case and take it before a Federal Grand Jury. He also assisted in numerous other Innocent Images Task Force operations, often serving as the Computer Specialist during the execution of the search warrant. He participated in numerous undercover download operations which were referred to other FBI Field Offices for follow-up. One of these involved a major distributor of child pornography. He serves as the sole computer forensic examiner in the department and he has continued to work with other members of our Innocent Images and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force contingent and School Resource Officers to develop and implement presentations on Internet Safety.
He has done all these things and still maintains one of the highest clearance rates in the Investigations Division. Investigator Gibbs made concentrated efforts to make James City County a safer community in which to live. His outstanding service and dedication is to be commended.