RED SPRINGS — The Lumberton Police Department on Saturday displayed its firearms skills by taking first place in the Arthur Oxendine Memorial Firearms Championship, which was held the same day as the 12th annual Robeson County Law Enforcement Executive Officer’s Association Awards Banquet.

Officer Robert Morse was named the Lumberton team’s top gun, and Steven Jones with The University of North Carolina at Pembroke Campus Police won the award for top individal shooter.

The competition honors Arthur Oxendine, who was a sheriff's detective when he killed in a hit and run accident while on duty on Oct. 1, 1993.

Mark Oxendine, the son of Arthur Oxendine, was present at the shooting competition, which was held at Robeson Community College’s shooting range off N.C. 72. He began his law enforcement career as a deputy at the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office in 1994. He later worked for the State Bureau of Investigation, and now works with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

“My father is the one who instilled the values for me to be in law enforcement,” Oxendine said.

Six departments participated in the shooting competition, including the Sheriff’s Office, state Highway Patrol and Fairmont, Rowland, Lumberton and UNCP police departments.

On Saturday night, the winners of the shooting competition were recognized at the awards banquet at the Red Springs Community Center. During the banquet, five students were named scholarship winners. Joshua Freeman, Donovan McDowell, Fallon McNeill, Ruby Odum and Crystal Toone will each receive a scholarship valued at $750.

The association has awarded more than $25,000 worth of scholarships to relatives of law enforcement officcers over the years, according to Capt. Larry McNeill, a retired officer with the UNCP police. His daughter is Fallon.

Teen Miss Lumbee, Alexis Locklear, provided music for the banquet, and state Rep. Ronnie Sutton was the guest speaker.