INDUSTRY – Deputies, dispatchers, corrections officers, civilians and a former Farmington police officer were recognized Wednesday.

Franklin County Sheriff Dennis Pike honored county employees for dedication, education, and longevity, and others for acts of bravery and community service during a luncheon hosted by Clearwater Ministries at the Industry Town Office.

Pike named dispatch supervisor Melinda Caton of Strong as Emergency Dispatcher of the Year, Sgt. Thomas Plog of Phillips as Corrections Officer of the Year and Detective Thomas White of Jay as Officer of the Year in the Patrol Division. Pike presented Caton and Plog with plaques and planned to present one to White, who was on a detail at the time.

Pike also recognized newspaper carrier Kay Brackley of Strong with a civilian service award for her role in notifying deputies of an elderly Phillips woman not collecting her paper in early 2002. It turned out the woman had fallen and had not been able to get up for a few days. Deputies went to the house and found her on the floor.

Deputy Norman Spencer of Wilton was recognized for his alertness while returning from the Charleston youth detention center early one morning and spotting a fire in Palmyra. Spencer went to the farmhouse and woke up the family, which escaped safely from the building.

The sheriff also gave out a combat cross to former Farmington police officer and county deputy Thomas H. Jones of Springvale. Jones, currently Sanford chief of police, responded to an intruder alarm in 1986 and chased after one of two people who fled the building. The man he was pursuing turned and pointed a gun at Jones and fired but the gun malfunctioned, Pike said. Jones shot back and fatally injured the suspect.

Jones received a standing ovation Wednesday from the audience.


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