The Rockdale County Sheriff's Office recently named their 2013 employees of the year at the recent holiday awards banquet.

Sheriff Eric Levett named the RCSO civilian employee of the year, detention deputy of the year, and deputy sheriff of the year. The employees of the year were nominated and chosen by the command staff and Sheriff Levett. Those receiving this prestigious award all possess many honorable traits that led to their selections.

The Civilian Employee of the Year is Kim Gillespie. Gillespie, the human resource manager for the RCSO, has been employed with the Sheriff's Office for eight years and always has a positive "can-do" attitude. She is described as an extremely hard worker that handles many different tasks on a daily basis. Employees from all bureaus of the Sheriff's Office depend on Kim Gillespie in one form or fashion.

The Detention Deputy of the Year was awarded to Deputy John Cole Haynie. Haynie has worked for the RCSO for two years. He is described by his peers and supervisors as always having the best attitude of all who work in the jail. His work ethic produces a quality product in his performance on a daily basis. Deputy Haynie is always the first to volunteer for any task to help the Sheriff's Office.

The Deputy Sheriff of the Year was awarded to Deputy Timothy Kutsch. Kutsch has worked for the Sheriff's Office for four years. Kutsch began his career as a detention deputy and transferred to the Field Services Bureau in 2012. He is described as being well respected by his peers, supervisors, and the citizens of Rockdale County. Deputy Kutsch has been awarded two commendations this year, one in which he was recognized for saving the lives of several people trapped in a burning house.

"I am very proud of Kim Gillespie, Deputy Haynie, and Deputy Kutsch for being selected as RCSO employees of the year and for all the hard work they do for the citizens of Rockdale County," said Sheriff Levett. "The RCSO has very talented, hardworking and dedicated employees and it was very difficult to pick just one person from each division. I ask everyone to congratulate these employees when you see them and thank them for all of their hard work that they do to make Rockdale County safer."