Lanier Technical College students pursuing a career in criminal justice may be able to get help with their expenses, thanks to a new scholarship.

Last week, Dawsonville Chapter 970 of Vietnam Veterans, along with Linda Moore, presented the college a check for $1,500.

The scholarship was established in memory of Vietnam veteran and former law enforcement officer Gunny Moore, who died in February.

I asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the VVA, Gunnys wife, Linda Moore, said. Im going to make it an annual thing.

Cris Perkins, executive director of the Lanier Technical College Foundation, said the money would help three or four students in the program. Its scholarships like this that lift such a tremendous weight for our college and our students, Perkins said. Its people like this that make our college what it is.

Moore had more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, most of it in Dekalb County. His wife said Gunny retired from Dekalb and about six months later began working for the Dawson County Sheriffs Department.

Moore was hired by Kevin Tanner, who then served as the chief deputy.

Gunny was a great law enforcement officer, Tanner said. More importantly, he was just a genuine, wonderful human being. He enriched a lot of lives during his service with the sheriffs office.

Linda Moore said the scholarship would have meant a lot to her husband because he always enjoyed working with the younger officers. Gunny loved working with young people and teaching them, she said.