The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department praised a dispatcher and a corrections officer.
FARMINGTON – A dispatcher admired for weathering a challenging year professionally and personally and a corrections officer well-liked by his co-workers and known for keeping inmates in check were honored Monday night.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Department dispatcher Janet Rackliff was named Dispatcher of the Year for 2003 and corrections officer Blaine Howard picked up the Corrections Officer of the Year.

Earlier this year, Cpl. Nathan Bean – along with his tracking dog, Ben – was selected as Deputy of the Year for 2003 by his fellow officers.

Slightly surprised when her entire family came pouring into the room, a smiling Rackliff stood to accept her award, bringing fellow dispatcher Nancy Currier, her partner of eight years on the night shift, to the head of the room with her.

The two hugged one another tightly and, with arms wrapped around each other, looked over the plaque and reflected on the past year.

“It’s a very special moment,” Rackliff admitted after the ceremony. “It’s an honor.”
A great partnership
While it was Rackliff who received the award, she was quick to point out that without Currier, it wouldn’t have been possible. Through crises at home and at work, the duo manages to keep each other calm under pressure, Rackliff noted.

“It’s really great to have a partner like that,” she added.

Dispatch Supervisor Melinda Caton said that despite a challenging year, Rackliff has performed her job well and paid close attention to details, always doing her job without complaint.

The nomination letter written for corrections officer Howard, who’s been with the Sheriff’s Department since 1978, drew hearty laughs. Jail Administrator Sandra Collins spoke about the shift from paper to computers at the jail and how Howard has been proactive despite the enormous challenge in learning the new system.

“Man over machine, man rules,” Collins said with a chuckle.

Turning serious, she spoke about another change that Howard has adapted to. In the past, the inmates have been “good old boys,” she said, but today inmates tend to be more violent and to have mental health issues aggravated by alcohol and drug use.
Facing increased risk
“There is much more risk to doing corrections work that when Blaine first made the decision to become a corrections officer,” Collins read. “The inmates also like and respect Blaine. There’s very little acting out behavior when he’s on duty down back.”

Well-liked and respected by his fellow corrections officers, including one who affectionately calls him “father,” Howard received a standing ovation as he accepted the award.

“After almost 30 years, you’ve got to get it eventually,” he said humbly, to a ripple of laughter in the crowd. “Process of elimination.”

Two Franklin County residents who recently returned from service in Iraq received special Sheriff’s Awards for Military Service. Franklin County Deputy Ken Charles and Chesterville’s Jessica Clair of the 112 National Guard Medical Division were both thanked by Sheriff Dennis Pike.

Clair said that the support back home really helped her through tough times in the Middle East. It was nice to know people in Franklin County were proud of her and cared, she said.

Clair also was named a honorary deputy as thanks for her service.

Others receiving special Sheriff’s Awards for Outstanding Performance and Service were:

• Detective David St. Laurent.

• Dispatch Supervisor Caton.

• Jail cook Aggie Doyen.

• Corrections classifications/ programs officer Tim Piekart.
sdepoy@sunjournal.com

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