On January 5, 2003 you responded to a possible suicide attempt. The information given by dispatch was that a white male had hung himself with an extension cord, the family had gotten him down. Upon arrival both Deputy Clement and Deputy Fellabaum worked together and began to administer CPR to the victim until relieved by personnel from the Fire Department. Because of the quick response by both Deputy Clement and Fellabaum and their ability to remain calm in a stressful situation the life of another was saved. Even though this person eventually died, it was because of the diligent efforts performed by each of you that other lives can be saved.

On March 26, 2003, Deputy Britt, Cpl. Speck and Deputy Harris responded to a suicide attempt in progress in the Preston Glen Apartments. Upon their arrival they were able to get information that led them to the discovery of a female victim in a garage located away from the apartment. The victim's vehicle was locked inside the garage and it was running. Deputy Britt could hear the engine revving and he grew concerned for the victim's safety. Information received indicated that the victim may have been in the vehicle for more than 20 minutes. Deputies Britt, Harris and Cpl. Speck forced the garage door open and made entry. There they found the victim in the vehicle, in an unconscious state. They were able to remove the victim from the vehicle and get her medical treatment from on scene EMS personnel. Quick actions in getting the necessary information and quick action from all of you lead to the saving of the victim's life.

On April 19, 2003, a four year old boy wandered into a large wooded area behind his home. Deputy Post responded to a 911 call from the child's custodian seeking assistance in locating the toddler. Deputy Post upon arrival assessed the situation and immediately started searching for the child. Drawing on his experience and knowledge of the woods he was able to track and find the child who was naked and had entered a small creek apparently 3/4 of a mile into the woods. Deputy Post recovered the child from the water and saw that the child appeared to be in the early stages of hypothermia. Deputy Post acted without hesitation to begin warming the child. Without concern for himself, Deputy Post stripped his uniform shirt off and wrapped it around the child, he held the child against his own body to transfer his body heat to the boy. There is little doubt that because of Deputy Post's knowledge and experience finding the child saved his life.

On May 25, 2003, Deputy Barrett finished working the morning watch shift with the Adult Detention Center and went out to have breakfast with his family. On his way home, while still in uniform he observed what he initially assumed was a stranded motorist with two females. As he got closer, he witnessed one female throw a liquid, which was gasoline, on the other and set her on fire. The assailant got into her white Pontiac and fled. Deputy Barrett was able to identify the car with an out of state tag and notify Cobb 911. He then made a u-turn and proceeded to assist the burning female. He was able to instruct her to drop to the ground and extinguish the flames. He notified Cobb 911, with updated information and was able to question the burned victim enough to obtain vital information for Cobb 911 until fire, medical and Cobb Police Department personnel could arrive. Deputy Barrett remained professional and observant despite the circumstances. In doing so he, witnessed the assailant return and drive-by. His observations and alerting Cobb Police officers to the vehicle drive-by allowed Cobb Police to affect an arrest of the driver. Deputy Barrett's dedication as a public servant, and his training, helped save the life of another, but also resulted in the felony arrest of the assailant.

On February 8, 2003, at 1700 hours, a 73-year old female was reported missing from the area of Batesville Road by her family. The female had been missing for some two hours in temperatures near freezing. You located the victim approximately three miles from her home in a remote wooded area. Your efforts in finding the elderly female after two hours of exposure to the freezing temperatures helped in saving her life.

On August 2, 2003, at approximately 0100 hours Deputy White responded to a person down call. Dispatch reported that the person was having difficulty breathing and that Fire and Emergency Services could not gain entry to the home, as the victim could not answer the door. Upon your arrival you immediately requested to make forced entry as the victim could be heard gasping inside the residence. You forced open the front door and located the victim in her bedroom. She was not breathing and had turned a bluish color for lack of oxygen. Using your training you immediately rendered aid to the victim by using chest compressions while EMS personnel set up their equipment to take over for you. After EMS took over you continued to assist by identifying the victim's medications from around the home. Your atttention to duty and your professionalism reflect great credit upon yourself and aided in the saving the life of the victim.

On the morning of September 14, 2003, you were monitoring the "Are You OK Program." The program made its daily call to Mrs. Imogene McCann. Being that you hear this call to Mrs. McCann everyday you became very familiar with Mrs. VcCann's voice. On this morning something sounded different with Mrs. McCann. Hearing this difference you took it upon yourself to call Mrs. McCann direct. When Mrs. McCann answered the pone you could immediately tell that something was seriously wrong, that she was in trouble. Because of her condition you were unable to get any difinite answers from her. While keeping her on the phone you notified 911 of the situation and a medical unit was dispatched. Mrs. McCann kept saying "God I don't know what's wrong with me, help me." It was heard over the phone that Mrs. McCann had fallen to the floor where the emergency personnel found her. After staying on the phone with Mrs. McCann for 25 minutes emergency personnel took over and rushed her to Northside Cherokee where she was listed in stable condition.

Because of your alertness and thoroughness, your unselfish desire to help another your actions may have saved the life of Mrs. McCann.

On April 6, 2003, Deputy Bellmore was assigned to the front lobby post and Deputy Kimberly Marshall was assigned to medical wing post. Deputy Marshall was about to assume the master control post to assist Deputy Rampley with a break, when an hispanic male ran down the main lobby hallway carying a small child. Deputy Rampley radioed to Deputy Bellmore with the information. Deputy Bellmore quickly assessed the situation and took the child from the man. He radioed that the child was choking and called for medical assistance. Deputy Marshall ran to the front lobby to help. Deputy Bellmore was able to communicate to the father of the child, despite the language barrier, that he was going to help. Deputy Marshall took the child and began to clear the child's mouth and throat area to open the child's airway and help him start breathing. The child, due to Deputy Bellmore and Deputy Marshall's assistance, was able to regain normal breathing. The father stated he would take the child to the hospital to be checked further. The father and child left before the officers could obtain their names. Through their efforts and training Deputies Bellmore and Marshall saved the child's life.

On February 4, 2003, Mr. Roger Thompson stopped at the boat ramp at Kellogg Creek to check his vehicle. He observed another vehicle in the parking lot with a hose running from the tailpipe to a passenger window. He called 911 to report the incident and then removed the hose in an effort to stop a suicide attempt. He remained on the scene until first responders and emergency personnel were able to remove the occupant. If it were not for Mr. Thompson's observance of the vehicle and quick actions of removing the hose, it is likely the victim would have died in his suicide attempt.

On January 3, 2003, Sgt. Clint Thompson heard a BOLO for a vehicle involved in an armed robbery. Since you were in the area you immediately began looking for the vehicle which you did find. You stopped the vehicle and held two suspects in custody until back-up arrived. As a result of your actions you identified and arrested the suspects involved in several armed robberies.

On April 20, 2003, an inmate alerted Deputy Paul of an escape plan that was on going in P-pod. Deputy Paul promptly acted on the information and alerted his supervisor and obtained further detailed information that resulted in the discovery and stopping of the escape attempt. After further investigation the names of the inmates involved was discovered along with the discovery of the attempted escape route. Deputy Charles Thomas volunteered to climb the escape route and video tape the damaged areas and remove potential tools/items used in aiding the inmates in damaging the facility and attempting to escape.

On May 30, 2003, while patrolling a subdivision under construction you observed a truck leaving one of the residences. You stopped the vehicle and it was determined that the subject had burglarized the residence. The subject then attempted to flee on foot. You pursued and apprehended the subject. As a direct result of your actions several burglaries were solved and a stolen truck that the subject was operating was recovered.

On September 21, 2003, you responded to Towne Lake Hills East in response to a shots fired call. A male subject apparently despondent over the death of his father had fired his rifle from the rear of his home and indicated he was contemplating suicide. Also, it was known that inside the home was the male subject's girlfriend. As you took a position near the rear of the home you heard the male subject arguing with the female and you observed the male fall to the floor of the deck with the rifle nearby. You took the opportunity to quickly approach the subject taking him into custody. Your quick action resulting in the apprehension of the male preventing injury to the female and bringing to an end a potentially volatile dangerous situation.

On September 16, 2003, Deputy Azaroff responded to a theft call on Bells Ferry Road with Deputy Jeff Donley. After meeting with the complainant Deputies Donley and Azaroff continued the investigation, and were able to identify suspects that had stolen property in their possession. As a direct result of your actions all suspects were identified and more that sixty cases were closed.

On June 7, 2003, at approximately 1837 hours, Deputy Marshall requested assistance in the front lobby of the ADC, Deputy Marshall had confronted a male subject outside of the lobby to the ADC where she determined the subject had attempted to set fire to Sheriff's Office vehicles parked in the headquarters parking lot. Deputy Marshall using her learned defensive tactics skill subdued the individual and placed him in handcuffs until assistance arrived. The subject was later charged with felony arson.

On June 28, 2003, the Union Hill Community held their annual Siren Supper for Cherokee County Public Safety Employees. This event, in part, is to thank all county public safety officers for the services they provide to the citizens of the Union Hill Community and to Cherokee County. Linda Ruggiero is being honored by the Sheriff's Office for being the driving force behind making the Siren Supper an event of tremendous success and one the Sheriff's Office deeply appreciates.

During the past year Ms. Overly has not only mastered all of the equipment required to be used, but has excelled at using all of the specialized software programs that are unique to the Internal Affairs unit. Additionally, Ms. Overly has reorganized the filing system for the unit making it much more user friendly and has also taken a very proactive role in checking employment references for the hiring process. Ms. Overly has been a rock solid employee and is formally recognized for her contribution to the agency.

On August 17, 2003, Investigator Allen was the on call person's investigator. She handled a number of call outs that day including three very extensive cases, which included kidnapping/burglary, cruelty to children, and a rape. At the conclusion of the immediate investigations, Investigator Autumn Allen arrested a total of five people on numerous felony charges.

On October 29, 2003, Deputy Kapanowski was dispatched to an alarm call and a suspicious noise call in the Wolf Creek Park Subdivision. Deputy Kapanowski found a pick-up truck at one residence that had been driven off the end of the driveway and was stuck in the mud. He observed the subject walk from behind the house. Deputy Kapanowski then determined that the driver of the truck had made forced entry into the residence in attempt to steal the appliances inside the residence. The suspect was charged with burglary and criminal damage.

On June 28, 2003, Deputy Stewart was patrolling the address of a recent burglary. Upon arriving at the residence Deputy Stewart observed a vehicle in the driveway that did not belong to the owners of the home. When Deputy Stewart went to investigate the situation he found a burglay in progress and was able to apprehend the subject.

On February 23, 2003, Deputy Carr responded to 935 Light Road to a possible residential burglary in progress. Upon arrival Deputy Carr located a possible point of entry. With assistance from Canton and Holly Springs Police Department located and detained five suspects inside the residence. There was one juvenile that was charged with burglary; two of the other subjects were charged with burglary, criminal damage 2nd degree and possession with intent to distribute. The last two subjects were charged with burglary and criminal damage 2nd degree.

In early March 2003, Inv. Akins was contacted by the Glencoe Police Dept. in Minnesota to assist them in locating a suspect, and the child she had abducted, in a parental kidnapping case . Inv. Akins was able to locate an address where the subject was supposed to be going. As a result the subject was arrested and the child was returned to his father in only four days. Because of Inv. Akins involvement, a child was safely returned to his family.

On April 20, 2003, an inmate alerted Deputy Paul of an escape plan that was on going in P-pod. Deputy Paul promptly acted on the information and alerted his supervisor and obtained further detailed information that resulted in the discovery and stopping of the escape attempt. After further investigation the names of the inmates involved was discovered along with the discovery of the attempted escape route. Deputy Charles Thomas volunteered to climb the escape route and video tape the damaged areas and remove potential tools/items used in aiding the inmates in damaging the facility and attempting to escape.

Sergeant Sweat is receiving this certificate of appreciation from the fact of his outstanding instructor presentation at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. According to Training Center's Samuel Lewis writes in a letter to Sheriff Garrison, "the Center expresses its sincere appreciation for allowing Sergeant Sweat to present the Burglary Apprehension and Suppression course, which started July 2002." Mr. Lewis goes on to write "that after reading the students evaluation of Sergeant Sweat's class presentations and his instructional ability, the Center has asked Sergeant Sweat if he would continue in the position of instructor the for course." Mr. Lewis closed by writing, "we have been very fortunate to have had Sergeant Sweat as an instructor for the Georgia Police Academy."

On December 10, 2002, a call was placed to Cherokee dispatch in reference to a burglary in progress call. Upon police arriving they apprehended four suspects without further incident. Sandra Wasik is to be commended for her involvement and assistance.

On March 15, 2003, Deputy Combs was dispatched to an audible alarm at Johnson's Mini Mart on Reinhardt College Parkway. Upon arrival an individual dressed in black coveralls and a camouflage mask over his face was seen standing at the north corner of the building. After a brief foot pursuit the male was captured and placed in custody. As a direct result of Deputy Combs' actions the subject was apprehended and the owner suffered minimal loss. The subject was charged with burglary, criminal damage to property (2nd degree) and wearing a mask to conceal identity.