MOULTRIE — Nine Colquitt County law enforcement officers were recognized for outstanding service during a luncheon Tuesday.

The 12th annual Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, organized by the Moultrie Rotary Club 1152, was hosted at Dalton’s Downtown.

“This event was originally thought of by Frank Lang, the chief of police at the time,” said rotarian Judy Payne, who narrated the proceedings.

Interim Moultrie Chief of Police Chad Castleberry presented Moultrie Police Department’s award to Sgt. Christopher Mitchell.

“Mitchell is a leader in this community,” said Castleberry. “And, the fact he just started in 2021 and is already a sergeant really says a lot about his character.”

Starting her career in the prison system in 1993, Sgt. Becky Perry was awarded officer of the year for the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office by Sheriff Rod Howell.

“She has the fourth longest tenure at the Sheriff’s Office,” said Howell. “At this point she holds more keys to more doors than the rest of us know exist; and everyone, including me, go to her for help.”

Gulf War vet CSOII Darryl Stewart won the award from the Georgia Department of Community Supervision.

Stewart has been doing the job for 31 years, since 1991. This last year, he has been working both Thomas and Colquitt counties.

Officer Jaharr Antwan Shivers was selected for the award with his work in the Colquitt County Prison. He has been with the department since 2020.

According to his department warden, Shivers is dependable, reliable and emphasis’ teamwork.

The newest K9 cadet for Georgia Department of Public Safety, who has been employed since 2016, TFCI Charles Derrick Pitts, was presented with the award by Sgt. Robert Corbin.

“In 2023 he had over 1,800 stops,” aid Corbin. “81 of those are DUI’s he was able to get off the road. He is a great asset and does everything that is asked of him.”

Captain Rick Sellars presented the Georgia Department of Natural Resources award to Game Warden Keith Boatwright.

“Boatwright has received a lot of recognition so far in his career since 2020,” said Sellars. “Last year, one of his awards was for a search and rescue where the man’s boat sank on Christmas Eve and he was minutes from hyperthermia when he was found.”

Georgia Bureau of Investigations presented their award to another longtime officer, SAC Wes Horne, who started at the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office in 1997 and been with GBI since 2001.

“He has been an instrumental person and it’s an honor to present him with this award,” said presenter Jamy Steinberg. “Since 2019 he has been on loan to the State Patrol as the Director of Officer and Public Safety, and I can confidently say that program has saved countless lives and families.”

Norman Police Department chose Officer Jody Jordan for the award, who started working in 1991.

“Not only is Jordan an officer, but he is also a pastor,” said presenter Chuck Snyder. “I can’t say enough good things about him.”

Though they weren’t in attendance to present the award, the Berlin Police Department chose Lt. Evan Garrick as their Officer of the Year.

The Doerun Police Department declined to participate.

“This has become our best attended event of the year,” said Payne. “We at the Rotary Club look forward to honoring these officers every year.”