ELLIJAY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Press Release

Ellijay Police Officer Commended

The Ellijay Police Department is pleased to announce Sergeant Alan Henson’s receipt of a formal letter of commendation from the Chief of Police regarding his above and beyond performance during the investigation of a motor vehicle accident on New Year’s eve. The information was received from Marie de Aragon RN, and Kaycee Tugg RN of Miami the content of which follows:

Dear Mayor Hoyle,

I am a mother and nurse from Miami, Fl. Please allow me to tell you how grateful I am for Officer Henson. On new years eve at about 6 pm my friend, Kaycee Tugg and her 2 boys as well myself and my 3 children were in an accident in your fair city. We are all ok thanks to a very sturdy truck, and the quick action of the team of police, fire rescue, and ambulance that came to our aid. It was about 20 degrees out, or at least it felt like that to a bunch of tanned Miamians. Officer Henson appeared instantly to help us. My daughter was scared and thought we would go to jail, he immediately came over and calmed her down, he smiled and just said “Honey, its just an accident, we’ll help you.” He gained all of our trust instantly. He made sure the children were safe and warm, even letting them sit in the back of his car. We then followed all the proper protocol and answers and questions. I also must commend state trooper Jackson who was also calming in what seemed like chaos to us.

I hope this note reaches you, because Not only did Officer Henson do his job well, he did it with compassion, and genuine kindness. Unfortunately we don’t see that in Miami. He used this as an opportunity to teach my children a lesson in humanity . Without hesitation he arranged to get us safely tour mountain cabin, alone not an easy task being that it’s in a resort in East Ellijay with long winding roads, and gravel paths. It was during this ride back that he shared with us a personal story that assured us all that surviving the accident was a gift, and all though he must think it’s all were thankful for , he’s wrong, we are also thankful for him and his wife. Your city is an example to all cities.

Now in Miami we tell the tale of that legendary Good Ol’ Boy , Officer Henson, who served his country, His family and now his hometown and the tourists who come visit, all with a smile and a spirit of genuine care that is seldom seen.

Thank you for you time to read this note,

Marie de Aragon RN, and Kaycee Tugg RN

The content of the Chief’s commendation letter states the following:

It is obvious that your experience and dedication to the job helped you look past the incident at hand and to look at the people involved. You used tact and empathy, which is sometimes rare in our profession.

Too often officers never hear from the people we touch in a positive way, and it seems that all we hear about are the complaints. I’m sure that for every one that tells us thanks we have positively touched countless others who just don’t know how or just forget to say thank you.

The care and compassion you showed to this family obviously touched them in a very positive manner and you are commended for a great job. You obviously did not perform in this manner in order to receive praise or accolades of any type, you were only doing what you knew what was right, and that is commendable.

I am thankful that others in this agency, including myself, have examples like this to keep us focused on what is truly important in our profession.

Chief Edward Lacey
197 North Main Street Ellijay, Georgia 30540
Office (706) 635-7430 ext #101 Fax (706) 635-7457
Email [email protected]
Telephone: 706-635-7430 x101
Email: [email protected]