GOLDSTON — Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson opened the annual Sheriff’s Office Awards Banquet by highlighting the many successes of his team in 2019.
“It is my pleasure to recognize your hard work and service to our community,” Roberson said at the ceremony, held Feb. 13 at the Goldston Fire Department. “I know all of you have been working diligently and deserve recognition for the teamwork and accomplishments we have made in the last year. In my eyes, every employee deserves an award for the amazing work they do every day.”
Dotty Whitaker received the Detention Officer of the Year award while Brian Inman took home the award for Officer of the Year. Both were nominated by peers and selected via a voting process.
“The highest praise you can receive comes not from supervisors, but from your peers,” Roberson said. “Out of everyone who works at the Sheriff’s Office, your co-workers identified you as most deserving of this award. It also means we expect more great things from you in the future.”
The same process is followed to select Rookies of the Year. Detention Officer Austin Whitaker and Deputy Shannon Parker were given awards for Rookie of the Year in their respective units.
“Rookie of the Year Awards come with high expectations, too,” said Chief Deputy Charles Gardner. “We will be looking to these recipients to become Officers of the Year in years to come.”
Life Saving Awards went to Deputies Dexter Jarmon, Ashley Hinson, Grant Carter, Cody DeViney, Israel Foxx, Johnny Griffin, Alberto Estrada, and Rocky Smith, Corporals Robert Pelkey and Robbie Hussey, and Sergeants Chris Burger and Rob Miller.
Jarmon and Burger each received two Life Saving Awards in 2019. These awards are only earned by employees who take immediate action to assist individuals in life-threatening distress.
“These deputies bring honor to all law enforcement professionals through their demonstration of selflessness and service when it was needed most,” said Captain Ken McDaniel.
Administrative Services Specialists Sarah Allen and Stephanie Campbell, Sergeant Ronnie Miller, and Lieutenant Joe Birchett all received Meritorious Achievement Awards for going above and beyond the requirements of their jobs for the benefit of Chatham County.
Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to Student Resource Officers Dalton Oldham, Kyle Smith, and Noah Frazier, Investigators Brent Fonville, Chris Tipton, John Flynn, Dominique York, and Jedidiah Bristow, Deputy Alexis Bonilla, Corporals Robert Pelkey and Jonathon Porter, and Sergeants Luisa Rojas and Felix Jimenez for their outstanding service to the Sheriff’s Office and residents of Chatham County.
The Unit Citation Award went to the Civil Unit. “The strength of this unit is not necessarily in its individuals, but in their teamwork and willingness to help others,” said Roberson. “Members of the Civil Unit joined other specialized teams, conducted background investigations, and enjoyed a record-setting year of high achievement. Thanks to their professionalism and collaboration with peers and other county entities, the Civil Unit collected over $100,000 for a second year in a row and served over 2,400 civil papers benefitting the residents of Chatham County and bringing honor to the Sheriff’s Office.”
Special recognition was also granted to members of the Chatham County Detention Center, which received its sixth consecutive “no deficiencies” rating during bi-annual jail inspections. These inspections are all-inclusive and require careful planning, preparation, and teamwork from all Detention Center staff.
“Thanks to their dedicated effort and attention to detail, the Chatham County Detention Center has developed a reputation as a shining example of professionalism, cleanliness, and seamless operation,” said Major Tracy Kelly. “This is a truly remarkable achievement. We are proud of the continued success of our Detention Unit and their commitment to excellence.”
All Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Employees are expected to perform at least 20 hours of community service each year. Lieutenant Sara Pack received the Community Service Award for 2019 for completing well over the minimum hours, averaging over 125 hours per year since she joined the Sheriff’s Office. Community Service Deputy Rocky Smith received the Top Gun Award for achieving a perfect accuracy score in every category during yearly firearm qualification rounds.
Deputies Cody DeViney and Ashley Ellington, Detention Officer Mike Brady, Corporal Dotty Whitaker, Student Resource Officer Jesse Clark, Investigators Jedidiah Bristow and Shelby McGrath, Sergeant Felix Jimenez, and Lieutenant Sara Pack received certificates acknowledging five years of dedicated service to Chatham County. Sergeant Rob Miller, Investigators Jonathan Miller and John Flynn, and Administrative Services Specialist Stephanie Campbell were recognized for 10 years of service. Sergeant Aron McIlvain and Corporal David Scott received awards for 15 years of service. Lieutenant Bryan Phillips and Student Resource Officer Kyle Smith were recognized for 20 years of service at the Sheriff’s Office.
“I am proud of each and every one of you for all you have accomplished in 2019,” Roberson said. “I expect even greater things from our office in 2020!”