Chief Deputy Wayne Bird, Lt. Campbell, and Sheriff Jim Ruth

Cpl. David Harper receiving his award

Capt. Tom Wasson (left) and Lt. Cheryl Holloway, Supervisor of the Year

Lt. W.G. Campbell and Cpl. David Harper, both part of the Patrol Division of the Bradley County Sheriff's Office, were the recipients of top awards during the annual Christmas party and awards program held at Bradley Central High School. Campbell, who supervises the BCSO Traffic Unit, received the Sheriff's Career Excellance Award, presented by Sheriff Jim Ruth.

Harper, a supervisor on A shift- nights, was given the BCSO Life Saving Award for dislodging a piece of corn that blocked the airway of a woman while she was eating at a local restaurant. Harper was off- duty and accompanied by his family when he performed the Heimlich Maneuver which allowed her to begin breathing again.

Lt. Cheryl Holloway of A shift - nights was on duty during the awards presentation and received her plaque as  Supervisor of the Year from Captain Tom Wasson.

Other award recipients included six employees selected as Employees of the Year: 
Deputy Dustin Patrick - Patrol Division
Deputy Russ Henry - SRO Section
Deputy Josiah Crouch - Corrections Division
Lt. Eddie Scoggins - Training and Support Services
Det. Mike Hughes - Criminal Investigations Division
Corporal James Bradford - Judicial Services Division

Merirorious Service Awards were presented to:
Det. Jody Musselwhite - Criminal Investigations Division
Corporal James Bradford - Judicial Services Division
Lt. Bob Hancock - Training and Support Services Division
Deputy Doug Boucher - Patrol Divsion

Also recognized were Lt. Bob Hancock, Public Service Award; Sgt. Calvin Webster - 20 year service award; Sgt. John Sanchez - 20 year service award; and Lt. Keith Edwards - 25 year service award.

To see more photos click the link below.

The scourge of illegal drug usage affects us all.

The most apparent manifestation of this evil is burglaries and thefts that are committed to support the "Habit."

It is the direct or indirect cause of over 90 percent of property crimes committed in our county. This evil crosses all socioeconomic lines and fundamentally changes the "user" forever.

Even if rehabilitated, the addiction remains, and so do the scars of the wrongs they have committed — be advised, the criminal who burglarizes your home, car or steals your property may well be a childhood friend, a close relative, or a person in the pew next to you in church. Bottom line, super-addictive substances like methamphetamine or cocaine can change a person as well as their thought processes and morals.

Once hooked on meth, a loved one no longer is that sweet little boy or girl you once knew and loved.

They morph into a person without morals or ethics, and are driven to do whatever they have to do to obtain their next high.

This includes breaking into your home, car, or even stealing from you when they are in your home with permission.

Many of the criminals know when you are at work, church, or on a trip or vacation.

While not all burglaries or thefts are perpetrated by known people, many are.

The bottom line is that very few people should be trusted to know your business, and your comings and goings.

Common sense should dictate the use of caution when revealing to others that you possess items such as artwork, firearms, precious metals or coins, jewelry, electronics or other highly desirable and easily disposed of items.

What can be done to provide some measure of security for one’s home and possessions?

There are several things that the individual homeowner can do unilaterally to improve his or her security.

A home security system is ideal not only as a deterrent, but as a method to notify law enforcement of a break-in.

Exterior motion lighting, deadbolt locks, decorative foliage height management, and lockable windows in good repair are a start.

Video surveillance systems are also highly effective in deterring crime and identifying subjects if a break-in occurs.

The best method to deter crime is to be a part of an active Neighborhood Watch program.

A Neighborhood Watch provides many eyes that can observe and report crime. It is the most cost-effective way to significantly improve your security.

Trusted neighbors that have your best interest at heart, can, and do, make a difference. The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office has active patrols in operation, city and countywide, 24/7. We can react quickly if notified of a suspicious vehicle, person, or a suspicious activity in progress. Our Deputies love to catch criminals in the act, and prevent property from being taken. A good Neighborhood Watch provides the early warning we need to do our job.

Violated!

Violated is how residents feel who have been a victim of a burglary.

They lose their sense of security in their own home.

Anxiety and worry invade their mind and they never quite feel safe again. This is the reason why it is so important to organize and start a Neighborhood Watch program.

Not only does it provide security for you, but it increases neighborhood cohesion, and results in a civic pride that you are doing the right thing and making a difference in your community.

Anyone interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch program, contact me, Lt. Bob Hancock, by office phone, 728-7321, or e-mail bhancock@bradleyco.net.

Please feel free to contact me for information on installing a watch in your neighborhood.

Our goal is to drive down crime by installing as many Neighborhood Watches as possible. The more citizens participate in their own security, the safer their neighborhood, and the county will be as a whole.

The BCSO Neighborhood Watch program is available to the entire county. It doesn’t matter if your neighborhood is in the city, or the county, our program is open to everyone.

We are all in this together! 

Each week a traffic safety tip appears in the Wednesday edition of the Cleveland Daily Banner.
 
Traffic Safety Tip provided by the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit:

Allow yourself time.

Depending on your trip to work, to friends, to a family’s home or a vacation, etc., always allow enough time to get yourself there unharmed and on time. We often don’t allow ourselves enough time to get where we are going and we get in a big hurry. This tends to lead to us taking chances or risks we would not ordinarily take, such as speeding, trying to "beat" a traffic light, beating the train across the tracks, slowing at a stop sign instead of stopping, or passing on a double yellow-line.

That’s just not smart.

So, leave early so if something slows you, you still have enough time to get there on time and unharmed.

- Did You Know? The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office patrols approximately 2 million miles a year or 5,000 to 6,000 miles a day?

A day after Bradley County detectives arrested a Florida woman for having over 4,000 Oxycodone and Xanax pills in her possession during a traffic stop on I-75, on Wednesday Bradley County detectives seized 105 Oxycodone pills from a Georgia man.

Drug interdiction detectives observed a vehicle on I-75 that was following too close to another vehicle. After attempting a traffic stop the driver pulled off onto Paul Huff Parkway. During the investigation a pill bottle containing 30 mg. Oxycodone pills was found in the possession of the vehicle’s passenger, Robert Jamal Johnson of Decatur Georgia.

The driver, Jacolby Wadell Dunbar of Tallahassee Florida, was also arrested after being found in possession of two ecstasy pills.

While searching the vehicle detectives found a loaded .380 caliber handgun between the two front seats.

Dunbar, who is 23 years-old, was charged with possession of schedule I for resale, possession of a firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia and following too close.

Johnson, also 23 years old, was charged with possession of schedule II for resale, possession of a firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jacolby Wadell Dunbar

Robert Jamal Johnson