Sheriff's Office News
Precints Name Deputies of the Year
Two Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office deputies have been selected as “Deputy of the Year” for 2009 by their respective precincts.
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In recent ceremonies at the North Precinct, Precinct Commander Capt. Mark Flowers presented that precinct’s Deputy of the Year award to Deputy Victor Porter. Deputy Porter, who will celebrate his second year with the Sheriff’s Office in May, is currently assigned to day shift patrol. |
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At the South Precinct, Precinct Commander Capt. Ron Freeman announced that Deputy Sheriff Ben Smith has been selected for Deputy of the Year honors. Deputy Smith joined the Sheriff’s Office in March 2005 and serves with that Precinct’s SOAR Unit. The SOAR Unit is a specialized team of deputies who concentrate on patrolling specific problem areas. |
During the year, each precinct selects a Deputy of the Month based on job performance criteria. Then, at the end of the year, a Deputy of the Year is selected from the twelve Deputies of the Month.
K-9 "Blade" Retires From Active Duty
K-9 “Blade” has retired from active duty, Forsyth County Sheriff Ted Paxton announced today.
Blade is an 8 year-old Beauceron, which is a French breed. He was originally purchased when he was a puppy by Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Scott Wilson. In the months that followed, Sgt. Wilson trained Blade in various drug detection. In February, 2006, when he was 18 months old, Blade was purchased with drug seizure funds from Sgt. Wilson for $1. He then was placed into active duty with Sgt. Wilson.
Blade has enjoyed a very productive career, Sgt. Wilson said. He has assisted in numerous felony and misdemeanor drug arrests. He once tracked and was instrumental in the recovery of a person who was threatening suicide, who was then able to receive medical treatment. In addition, he has assisted the Sheriff’s Office SWAT team on numerous missions.
Sgt. Wilson said that the most rewarding incident he was involved in with Blade was when Braselton Police were pursuing a truck with three armed robbery suspects. The suspects wrecked near the Gwinnett/Forsyth County line and fled on foot. Sgt. Wilson and Blade tracked one suspect who was found hiding in a tree he had climbed. Blade then turned his attention to the second suspect and located him hiding in tall grass. When the suspect would not comply with Sgt. Wilson’s commands, Blade’s sharp bite soon changed the suspect’s mind about complying.
Blade is certified in Narcotics and Patrol by the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association and American Working Dog Association. He also participated daily when Sgt. Wilson attended a six-week K-9 Instructor School in North Carolina. Blade’s has over 2,000 total training hours.
Blade has also been a favorite attraction at public relations events because of his ability to leap over the roof of a car to apprehend a suspect (decoy).
Blade will spend his retirement years at home with Sgt. Wilson and his family. He also sired a litter of puppies that were born this past weekend. Sgt. Wilson says that Blade will continue to sleep in the bed with his five year old son, and will dare anyone to attempt to break into the Wilson home.
Blade is an 8 year-old Beauceron, which is a French breed. He was originally purchased when he was a puppy by Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Scott Wilson. In the months that followed, Sgt. Wilson trained Blade in various drug detection. In February, 2006, when he was 18 months old, Blade was purchased with drug seizure funds from Sgt. Wilson for $1. He then was placed into active duty with Sgt. Wilson.
Blade has enjoyed a very productive career, Sgt. Wilson said. He has assisted in numerous felony and misdemeanor drug arrests. He once tracked and was instrumental in the recovery of a person who was threatening suicide, who was then able to receive medical treatment. In addition, he has assisted the Sheriff’s Office SWAT team on numerous missions.
Sgt. Wilson said that the most rewarding incident he was involved in with Blade was when Braselton Police were pursuing a truck with three armed robbery suspects. The suspects wrecked near the Gwinnett/Forsyth County line and fled on foot. Sgt. Wilson and Blade tracked one suspect who was found hiding in a tree he had climbed. Blade then turned his attention to the second suspect and located him hiding in tall grass. When the suspect would not comply with Sgt. Wilson’s commands, Blade’s sharp bite soon changed the suspect’s mind about complying.
Blade is certified in Narcotics and Patrol by the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association and American Working Dog Association. He also participated daily when Sgt. Wilson attended a six-week K-9 Instructor School in North Carolina. Blade’s has over 2,000 total training hours.
Blade has also been a favorite attraction at public relations events because of his ability to leap over the roof of a car to apprehend a suspect (decoy).
Blade will spend his retirement years at home with Sgt. Wilson and his family. He also sired a litter of puppies that were born this past weekend. Sgt. Wilson says that Blade will continue to sleep in the bed with his five year old son, and will dare anyone to attempt to break into the Wilson home.
Mounted Patrol Horse Retirement Announced
Sgt. Brandon Moore and "Mic"
“Mic” the horse has retired from active duty, Forsyth County Sheriff Ted Paxton announced today.
Sheriff Paxton said that Mic was one of two horses purchased when the Mounted Patrol Unit was formed in April, 2001. The other horse, “Jimbo” was retired three years ago.
In the years following, Mic faithfully served the Sheriff’s Office and put in thousands of hours patrolling Lake Lanier Parks, making public relations appearances and searching for lost and missing persons, the Sheriff said.
During those years, Mic had three riders assigned to him. They were Sergeants Brian DeBlois, Eric Silveus and Brandon Moore.
Mic is a 20 year-old American Quarter Horse, Sheriff Paxton added, and will be spending his retirement years grazing in a pasture on a private farm.
Sheriff Paxton said that Mic was one of two horses purchased when the Mounted Patrol Unit was formed in April, 2001. The other horse, “Jimbo” was retired three years ago.
In the years following, Mic faithfully served the Sheriff’s Office and put in thousands of hours patrolling Lake Lanier Parks, making public relations appearances and searching for lost and missing persons, the Sheriff said.
During those years, Mic had three riders assigned to him. They were Sergeants Brian DeBlois, Eric Silveus and Brandon Moore.
Mic is a 20 year-old American Quarter Horse, Sheriff Paxton added, and will be spending his retirement years grazing in a pasture on a private farm.
Motorist Escapes Serious Injury in Wreck
A motorist from Gainesville escaped serious injury when her car ran off the road late yesterday afternoon and ended up on its top in a creek.According to details released by Investigator David Garrison, Traffic Specialist with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, the motorist was identified as Sandy Callis, age 41, of Gainesville.
Investigator Garrison said Ms. Callis was westbound on State Route 306 (Keith Bridge Road) near Cantrell Circle when she swerved to avoid an oncoming small blue car that crossed the centerline into her lane. When her wheels hit the ice and snow covered shoulder of the road, her 2005 Buick LaCrosse overturned down a steep embankment and ended up in the creek. Ms. LaCrosse was trapped in her vehicle and had to be extricated by Fire Department personnel.
According to Forsyth County Deputy First Class Mark Seabolt, who was one of the first responders on scene, Ms. Callis was saved by her seatbelt which kept her body out of the waist-deep water. She was hanging upside down in the car, Seabolt said. Seabolt held Ms. Callis’ head of out of the water to keep her from drowning. DFC Seabolt and Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Kenneth Yarbrough attended to Ms. Callis until the Fire Department arrived on-scene with rescue equipment. Ms. Callis was entrapped about 30 minutes, then was transported by ambulance to North Fulton Hospital where she was treated for hypothermia.
Ms. Callis was alone in her car, Garrison said, and the identity of the driver of the blue car is unknown. Drugs and alcohol were not a factor in this wreck, Garrison added.
The first 911 call reporting the accident was received at 3:44 p.m. The accident caused S.R. 306 to be completely shut down until 5:30 p.m.
Deputy Scott Banning Named Deputy of the Month
Forsyth County Deputy Sheriff Scott Banning has been named the South Precinct’s Deputy of the Month for January, 2010, South Precinct Commander Captain Ron Freeman announced today.
Deputy Banning, who was employed with the Sheriff’s Office in May, 2008 was selected among his peers for his outstanding work and the excellent customer service he provides.
According to Captain Freeman, Deputy Banning was selected for this honor because of his strong work ethic that has inspired other deputies to proactively patrol their assigned beats. As a result of his hard work, in January, Deputy Banning made multiple arrests for possession of marijuana, two arrests for driving on a suspended license and one arrest for reckless driving.
During the year, each Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Precinct recognizes a Deputy of the Month. At the end of each year, a Deputy of the Year is selected from the 12 monthly award winners.
Deputy Banning, who was employed with the Sheriff’s Office in May, 2008 was selected among his peers for his outstanding work and the excellent customer service he provides.
According to Captain Freeman, Deputy Banning was selected for this honor because of his strong work ethic that has inspired other deputies to proactively patrol their assigned beats. As a result of his hard work, in January, Deputy Banning made multiple arrests for possession of marijuana, two arrests for driving on a suspended license and one arrest for reckless driving.
During the year, each Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Precinct recognizes a Deputy of the Month. At the end of each year, a Deputy of the Year is selected from the 12 monthly award winners.
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