The Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) honored its own and remembered a fallen brother Friday night as the department held its Eighth Annual Awards Ceremony.
After dining on barbecue at the Newton College and Career Academy, honorees, their families and other attendees, including elected officials and members of the local law enforcement community moved to the Porter Auditorium for the awards ceremony.
The event was emceed by Lt. Paul Gunter and Sgt. Courtney Morrison of the NCSO. The keynote speaker for the evening was Dr. Craig Lockhart, deputy superintendent of the Newton County School System.
Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown, Executive Director of the Georgia Sheriff’s Association Terry Norris and Jack Simpson also delivered remarks. Sheriff Brown introduced Simpson, 92, as the oldest certified peace officer in the United States.
A video tribute to fallen Deputy Justin White was shown. Deputy White died in November 2016 from injuries he received in a vehicle accident while responding to a call. Sheriff Brown told the audience that Deputy White was the first Newton County deputy to die in the line of duty in the 170+ year history of the NCSO. Deputy White’s family was in attendance at the ceremony.
“Justin will live forever in our hearts,” the sheriff said.
Deputy White was also honored posthumously at the ceremony.
The 2016 Newton County Sheriff’s Office Award recipients are:
Deputy of the Year: Corporal Justin Powell
Employee of the Year: Detention Officer Brad Wilson
Rookie of the Year: Detention Officer Steve Berry
Division Deputy of the Year:
Court Services Division: Deputy Oscar Roger
Criminal Investigation Division: Sgt. Cortney Morrison
Detention Division: Lt. Selena Williams
Uniform Patrol Division: Cpl. Wesley Dickerson
Special Investigations Unit: Cpl. Richard Howard
Lifesaver:
Sgt. Courtney Morrison
Cpl. Colin Cunningham
Deputy James Stevens
Deputy Jacob Rice
Deputy Justin White
Cpl. Danny Peppers
Humanitarian: Deputy Christopher Bowles
Investigator of the Year: Investigator Brent Morrison
Explorer of the Year: Destiny Cook
Purple Heart: Fallen Investigator Justin White
Retirement Recognition:
Deputy Tommy Davis
Deputy Robert Scott
Awards for years of service were also presented at the ceremony.
