Sheriff’s office awards star employees
The department has faced some tough times, but Sheriff Tim Burkhalter says he knows his employees are strong.
From top gun to shining stars, the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office celebrated employees during its first awards dinner Friday night at the Civic Center.
Floyd County Commission Chair Rhonda Wallace told the crowd of employees and family members that the commission was thankful for their hard work.
“We thank you for protecting us,” she said. “Each one of you play such an important role in our community.”
The awards are usually given out during the department’s annual meeting, but Sheriff Tim Burkhalter said that they decided to change things up this year.
“We have always held this meeting early in the morning when the shift ends, so everyone is tired,” he said. “This way, we get to celebrate a little and enjoy it.”
Burkhalter said he was very proud to be the sheriff in Floyd County.
“This is my dream job,” he said. “We are working to make things better and we have a lot of new things happening. We have a new medical wing coming, and we’ve been working on more professional development.”
Burkhalter said he will continue to support the strong community programs the department sponsors.
“We have 10 community programs, ranging from those benefiting the youngest citizens to the oldest,” he said. “We have enthusiastic employees who work to make those programs a success.”
Even though the department has dealt
with tough economic times, furloughs and cutbacks, Burkhalter said his employees will make it through all of those.
“My dad used to say that the strongest steel is made on the hottest coals,” he said. “That means what survives the hardest times must be the toughest.”
Awards went to: Jim Pilgrim, Employee of the Quarter; Harrison Dupree, Pride, Integrity & Guts Award; Anna
Banks, Sheriff Joe Adams Community Service Award; Alex Bohannon, Top Gun Award; Tiffany Henderson, Jail Operations Employee of the Year Award; Josh Harkins, Field Operations Employee of the Year Award; and Gennerow Bradley, Tamera Miller-Hall, Mitch Glass, Vickie Alexander, Bruce Edmondson and Hannah Shaw all received Sheriff’s Shining Star Awards.