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Sheriff John Samaniego speaks at the sheriff's office annual promotion and awards ceremony. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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Sheriff John Samaniego swears in five new deputy sheriffs, Robin Turner, Parris Wiggins, Ben Jacks, Jeff Bahr and Brad Bush. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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Sheriff John Samaniego swears in new corrections officers. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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Sgt. Stan Oliver is recognized for his promotion, which took place on June 16, 2017. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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Sgt. Deon Tilley is recognized for his promotion to sergeant. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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Lt. Jason Myrick is pinned by Sheriff John Samaniego and his wife. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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Chief Deputy Chris George introduces promotions. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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Sgt. Stu Jones is pinned by Sheriff John Samaniego and his wife. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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Capt. Mike Dehart is recognized for his promotion to captain, which became effective on June 1. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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Lt. Josh Forrest is pinned by Sheriff John Samaniego and his wife, in recognition of his promotion to lieutenant which became effective on June. 1. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office spent the night of Thursday, Sept. 28, recognizing law enforcement officers who received promotions or awards during the last calendar year.
At the sheriff's office's annual awards and promotions banquet, the officers who were promoted or received another form of recognition in the last year were recognized in front of family, community members and fellow officers before enjoying a dinner and time of fellowship at New Hope Presbyterian Church.
Following the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, Sheriff John Samaniego swore in five new deputy sheriffs — deputies Robin Turner, Parris Wiggins, Ben Jacks, Jeff Bahr and Brad Bush. He then swore in new corrections officers Matt Costlow, Bob Alston, Aaron Hughes, Aaron Lawley, Crystal Motley, Jacob Oliver, Tyler Posten, Landon Pickett and Kelly Stephens.
Officers who received promotions in the last year were also recognized, including Capt. Mike Dehart, Lt. Josh Forrest, Lt. Jason Myrick, Sgt. Stan Oliver, Sgt. Deon Tilley and Sgt. Stu Jones.
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Deputy Derek Dixon (centered) is recognized for his receipt of the Medal of Honor, the sheriff's office's highest award. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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Deputy Derek Dixon returns to his seat after receiving the Medal of Honor, the sheriff's office's highest award. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
Ten individuals were also recognized for their exemplary service.
Deputy Derek Dixon received the highest honor the Sheriff's Office bestows, the Medal of Honor, for his lifesaving actions in January 2016. Dixon responded to a call about a car that had driven off the roadway and into a ravine, and upon arriving to the scene of the crash, saw a car at the bottom of an embankment, appearing to be on fire.
"Believing someone was inside the burning vehicle, and without hesitation, Dixon started down the steep face of the mountainside toward the car," said Capt. Mike Dehart, as Dixon was recognized.
Dixon removed the unconscious driver from the car, and after treatment on scene and being airlifted to a local hospital, she survived.
"Acting in a professional manner, he [Dixon] demonstrated exceptional courage, disregarded the risk of serious injury to himself, places the life of a stranger above his own safety, and in doing so undoubtedly saved her life," Dehart said.
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Sgt. Jayme Moore receives the Life Saving Award. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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Lt. Mark Bishop receives the Meritorious Serivce Award. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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Deputy David Morrow is recognized for his recepit of The Sheriff's Award. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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Sgt. Dennis Chamblee receives the Meritorious Service Award. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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Deputy Terry Gowers is recognized for receiving The Sheriff's Award. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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Deputy James Sellers receives the Meritorious Service Award. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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Lt. Jason Myrick is recognized for his receipt of the Sheriff's Award. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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Sgt. Deon Tilley is recognized for his receipt of The Sheriff's Award. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
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Jim Thornton returns to his seat after receiving The Sheriff's Award. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hosted its annual promotion and awards ceremony at New Hope Presbyteritan Church on Sept. 28, 2017.
Other award recipients included:
- Sgt. Jayme Moore, receiving the Lifesaving Award, for his actions on March 30, 2014, when he administered CPR on an individual, which according to paramedics who arrived on scene, ultimately saved the patient's life.
- Lt. Mark Bishop, receiving the Meritorious Service Award, for his work that led to the sheriff's office's accreditation by the Commission for Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
- Deputy James Sellers, receiving the Meritorious Service Award, for his work establishing Camp Journey.
- Lt. Jason Myrick, receiving the Meritorious Service Award, for his work on the Alabama Tactical Officers Association board.
- Deputy David Morrow, receiving the Sheriff's Award, for his service to the Shelby County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 41.
- Sgt. Deon Tilley, receiving the Sheriff's Award, for his work with Compact 2020.
- Investigator Heather Parramore, receiving the Sheriff's Award, for her work in a February 2016 case involving the rape of a child less than 16 years old. In addition to serving as an investigator on the case, Parramore helped arrange a baby goods donation drive for the victim, who was 33 weeks pregnant at the time of the investigation.
- Deputy Terry Gowers, receiving the Sheriff's Award, for his aim to constantly seek improvement through continued education and his professionalism, experience and kind demeanor.
- Former COP director Jim Thornton, receiving the Sheriff's Award, for his work with the Chelsea Citizen Observer Patrol.
