Goldsboro honors two retiring police investigators; proclaims Small Business Saturday

Goldsboro City Council on Nov. 17 adopted resolutions recognizing two long-serving Goldsboro Police Department employees and read a Small Business Saturday proclamation. Mayor Gaylor read Resolution 2025-92 honoring Major Paige Leonard for more than 32 years of service; council approved the resolution unanimously.

Paige Leonard thanked colleagues and recounted career milestones, saying, "It's been a long, almost 33 years," and she expressed appreciation for police peers and family members who supported her through the job's demands. Councilmembers offered personal remarks remembering Leonard's service on the drug squad and with Crime Stoppers.

The council also adopted a resolution honoring investigator Anthony Tillman, who retires Dec. 1 after more than 17 years with the department. Tillman thanked his police family and community; council approved the resolution by show of hands.

Earlier in the meeting the mayor read a proclamation declaring Nov. 29, 2025, Small Business Saturday in Goldsboro. Todd Walker, president of the Goldsboro Chamber of Commerce, accepted the proclamation and encouraged residents to "shop local," saying community businesses are a backbone of the area. The proclamation cites national Small Business Administration statistics and urges residents to support local merchants on and beyond the designated day.

Next steps: The retirements were formalized by council action during the meeting; the Small Business Saturday proclamation is a document of record to guide local promotions.