Sheriff's Office News

Deputy Sheriff William McConnell Named North Precinct Deputy Of The Month

DEPUTY SHERIFF WILLIAM MCCONNELL NAMED NORTH PRECINCT DEPUTY OF THE MONTH

            Deputy Sheriff William McConnell, Jr. has been named the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office North Precinct Deputy of the Month for July 2011, Capt. Mark Flowers, commander of the North Precinct announced recently.

            According to Capt. Flowers, Deputy Sheriff McConnell was selected as the Deputy of the Month because of his “awareness and attention to detail.” On July 14, Deputy Sheriff McConnell was canvassing the area of the Lake Forest subdivision where several burglaries and entering auto incidents had recently occurred. He saw three men walking down the street that looked suspicious. He stopped and questioned them. At that time, the men told him they were painting a fence near the pond. Deputy Sheriff McConnell noticed they had no paint on them, if they were actually doing that job. He got their names and addresses. As investigators were trying to gather information as to who had burglarized the homes and autos, it was found that two of the men Deputy Sheriff McConnell had questioned were involved. Deputy Sheriff McConnell was able to provide the investigators with the names and addresses of the suspects. They were located and arrested by Criminal Investigations.

            “Deputy Sheriff McConnell went above and beyond the call of duty,” Capt. Flowers added. “The information he had gathered assisted in making arrests associated with these burglaries and entering autos.”

            Deputy Sheriff McConnell has been employed with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office since October 2010. He is assigned to “A” Watch at the North Precinct.

            During the year, each Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Precinct recognizes a Deputy of the Month. At the end of the year, a Deputy of the Year is selected from the 12 monthly award winners.

Deputy Sheriff Matt Foster Named South Precinct Deputy Of the Month

DEPUTY SHERIFF MATT FOSTER NAMED SOUTH PRECINCT DEPUTY OF THE MONTH

            Deputy Sheriff II Matt Foster has been named the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office South Precinct Deputy of the Month for July 2011, Capt. Ron Freeman, commander of the South Precinct announced recently.

            According to Capt. Freeman, Deputy Sheriff Foster made numerous arrests during the month of July. On July 23, Deputy Sheriff Foster made a traffic stop of a driver that was weaving. After a search of the vehicle was performed by a K-9 officer and his partner, an assortment of pills were found. At that point, the Narcotics Unit responded to the scene and after further investigation, it was found that the occupants of the vehicle were mid-level drug dealers. The occupants were charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Scheduled Narcotic. In addition to the charges, 48 pills were confiscated.

            “Deputy Sheriff Foster continues to grow as an officer and expands his knowledge and training with continued experiences and classes that he attends,” added his direct supervisor, Sgt. Scotty Spriggs.

            Capt. Freeman stated that Deputy Sheriff Foster “is an exceptional employee with the desire to learn and experience everything he can. It is not only for this particular stop that he is recommended as the Officer of the Month, but for his continued performance and attitude toward his job and position.”

            Deputy Sheriff II Matt Foster has been employed with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office since February 2008. He is currently assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Aggressive Response (S.O.A.R.) Unit.

            During the year, each Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Precinct recognizes a Deputy of the Month. At the end of the year, a Deputy of the Year is selected from the 12 monthly award winners.

Firefighters recover body this morning

Firefighters Recover Body This Morning

By Julie Arrington Staff Writer This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Forsyth County firefighters have recovered the body of a 22-year-old man who apparently drowned after jumping off a Lake Lanier bridge overnight.

Authorities identified the man as Ryan Browning of 375 Fredericks Cove in Dawsonville.

Forsyth County Fire Capt. Jason Shivers said Browning jumped off the Hwy. 369 bridge at Six Mile Creek in the early morning hours Thursday.

The first distress call came in about 3:24 a.m., Shivers said.

He said Browning’s body was recovered at 8:45 a.m. in about 30 feet of water, some 30 feet from shore and under the bridge in northeastern Forsyth County.

Forsyth County Sheriff’s Capt. Tim House said it is not clear why Browning, who was reportedly with a couple of friends at the time, jumped off the bridge.

The investigation into his death, which authorities said is the first drowning on the Forsyth County side of Lake Lanier this year, is ongoing.

Check back for updates at forsythnews.com or see the next edition of the Forsyth County News.

Technology to Increase Communication with Citizens

Once thought to be only for teens looking to share thoughts, pictures, and quotes, “social networking” has now become vital to staying in touch for businesses, families, and most recently, government agencies. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office has jumped on board with three new means of keeping citizens informed about what goes on in their county.

“It became very clear to me that we could reach a number of citizens relatively quickly by joining the social networks Facebook and Twitter, as well as continuing our use of Nixle (a notification service), “ said Sheriff Ted Paxton. “We can use these sites to disseminate information about incidents that have occurred, wanted subjects, crime prevention tips, safety events, and road closures, for example. I have said time and time again that we cannot police without the community’s help, and this allows us to reach them in a way that’s convenient and accessible.”

To become a fan of the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, or subscribe to their updates on Nixle, visit their website at www.forsythsheriff.org and click the provided links on the right side of the homepage.