Ellijay Police Department Officers Recognized for Service

News release from Chief Edward Lacey

Ellijay, Gilmer County, Ga. December 3, 2015

EPD Awards and Recognition Reception

The Ellijay Police Department is proud to announce awards received by officers for performance, certification, and training during 2015.  Officers and their families gathered in the community room at the United Community Bank in Ellijay for the Ellijay Police Department’s Annual Awards and Recognition Reception.  Chief Edward Lacey presented the following awards to officers:

Officer Michael Stanford – Officer of the Year. The Officer of the Year award is an award that may be bestowed only once annually to a sworn full-time employee for outstanding achievement and performance in support of the agency’s stated mission, goals, and objectives.  The officer must not have any sustained allegations of misconduct and must demonstrate by his or her actions support of the Agency’s core values, Vision and stated goals and objectives.   The award was presented with a uniform pin and certificate along with an official Mayoral Proclamation.  In this proclamation, Mayor Al Hoyle noted that Officer Stanford “has been a great asset to the agency and has increased and enhanced the agency’s organizational effectiveness in a manner that has clearly distinguished him from other employees”.

Officer Trevor McClure – Rookie of the Year.  The Rookie of the Year is an award that may be bestowed once annually to a sworn full-time employee for outstanding achievement and performance during his/her first year of service in support of the agency’s stated mission, goals, and objectives.  The officer must not have any sustained allegations of misconduct and must demonstrate by his or her actions support of the Agency’s core values, vision, and stated goals and objectives.  The award was presented with a uniform pin and certificate along with an official Mayoral Proclamation.  In this proclamation, Mayor Al Hoyle noted that, “Although he is in his first year of full time policing, his self-initiated activity is a testimony to his high morale and attitude towards his profession.  His approach to his profession is not merely reactionary in nature, but proactive in his approach to law enforcement and the general public”.

Officers Brady Dover and Aaron Mashburn– Police Commendation Award.  The Police Commendation Award is the highest award that can be bestowed upon an individual, either affiliated or not affiliated with the agency, who demonstrates exemplary duty performance for a single noteworthy act of service, in support of the agency.  The award was presented with a uniform pin and a certificate along with an official Mayoral Proclamation.

Officer Dover was recognized for his initiative and investigative skill which resulted in the interruption of an active methamphetamine laboratory in the City of Ellijay in February of 2015.  In his proclamation, Mayor Hoyle noted, “Officer Dover took the initiative to follow up on the information given to him which resulted not only in the interruption of the manufacturing of methamphetamines, but also the arrest of the person responsible”.

Officer Aaron Mashburn received his commendation for humanitarian aid.  In October, Mashburn responded to the scene of a traffic stop where a vehicle was found to have cancelled insurance and registration.  There were three small children present with the driver of the vehicle.  Recognizing that the parent had no means to transport his family safely home, Officer Mashburn requested to “clock out” so he could voluntarily use his personal vehicle and car seat to transport the family home.  Mayor Hoyle noted, “Officer Mashburn’s compassion and willingness to assist a family in crisis, even at the risk of personal cost of lost wages and use of his personal vehicle, reflects highly upon his personal integrity and commitment to the welfare of others”.

Officer Jacob Chastain – Bachelor Degree Recognition.  This award is given to an officer who has attained a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.  The award includes a uniform device with a certificate.  Officer Chastain attained his education on his own time at his own cost.  He is to be commended for his initiative to better prepare himself to serve in his chosen profession.

Sergeant Brian Troglin – Distinguished Marksman Award.  This is an award that can be bestowed upon an individual affiliated with the agency, who achieves minimum weapons qualifying score of 95 percent or higher during two consecutive annual agency weapons qualification training periods.  The award consists of a certificate and a uniform pin, which may be worn as long as the officer maintains this high marksmanship standard.

Officer Noel Loera – Military Service Recognition.  This award is given to full time, non-probationary employees who are veterans in good standing of one of the five branches of the United States Military.  Officer Loera is a U.S. Army Combat Veteran who is currently serving in the US Army Reserves.

Sergeant Brian Troglin and Officer (Ret.) Gary Sutton – Years of Service Recognition.  The Years of Service Recognition is an award given to recognize an employee for years of continued service with the City of Ellijay as a sworn police officer.  At the completion of one year, an officer may wear a patriotic stars and stripes ribbon on his uniform.  At the completion of five or more continuous years, an officer receives a certificate and a uniform pin with a number signifying the number of years of service (in increments of five).  Sergeant Troglin has served with the agency for the past five years.  Although currently working as a civilian with the police agency, Ofc. (Ret) Gary Sutton started his law enforcement career with the Gilmer Sheriff’s Office attaining Peace Officer Certification in 1989.  He began work with the City of Ellijay in 1991 and has faithfully served since.  January of 2016 marks his 25^th year of service with the City of Ellijay. (Ofc. Sutton is not pictured).

“I’m very proud of these officers.  I’m thankful for their families and their willingness to sacrifice so much as their loved ones pin on the badge every day.  I’m also thankful for this community which so overwhelmingly supports them.”

Chief Edward Lacey