The Floyd County Department honored its officers of the year this week at its annual Christmas Luncheon, bringing together officers, retirees, and their families to celebrate the holiday season and recognize exceptional service throughout the year.
During the event, Chief Wallace presented quarterly awards and Officer of the Year honors to individuals whose actions exemplified professionalism, compassion, and dedication to the community.
Officer of the 1st Quarter was awarded to Pfc. Edwin Orellana for his compassionate response during a call involving a missing dementia patient. Pfc. Orellana located the individual and remained with him for more than an hour and a half until the man’s wife arrived from out of county. His care and patience provided comfort to the family and reflected the department’s commitment to service and training.
Officer of the 2nd Quarter honors went to Lieutenant Rusty Williams, who responded to a traffic accident involving a young driver in her first crash. Lt. Williams went above and beyond to provide reassurance and assistance, demonstrating calm professionalism and a genuine commitment to the well-being of those he serves.
Officers of the 3rd Quarter were awarded to Pfc. Jonathan Bodenheimer and Pfc. Craig Stanfield for their swift, life-saving actions during a shooting incident involving a 15-year-old victim. Upon arrival, the officers identified severe blood loss and immediately applied a tourniquet and packed the wound, stopping the bleeding and saving the victim’s life.
Officers of the 4th Quarter honors were presented to Captain Ojilvia Lom and K9 Billy, an electronics detection K9 team. Their specialized skills assisted multiple agencies in major investigations by locating critical electronic evidence, contributing to successful prosecutions.
The department’s highest honor, Officers of the Year, was awarded to Pfc. Brittany Werner and Pfc. Mallory Boatfield. While serving as school resource officers, they responded to a bullying complaint that led to a deeper investigation. Through diligence and attention to detail, the officers uncovered that a registered sex offender had been communicating with several juveniles. The investigation resulted in numerous charges, including sexual crimes against children in Floyd and Polk counties, as well as human trafficking. Their work underscored the department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children.
