Boone native Ralph Yates was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state's highest civilian honor, on Friday for his years of dedicated service to the community and to North Carolina.

Yates, 69, was the longtime postal director for Appalachian State University, has been a sworn law enforcement officer for more than 46 years and continues to be an active volunteer in Watauga County.

Yates joins more than 13,600 people who have received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, including Maya Angelou, Michael Jordan and Billy Graham. The recognition began in the 1960s and recognizes state employees with 30 or more years of service or other extraordinary achievements.