Sheriff's Office employees of the year

     The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office recently announced its 2021 deputy and jailer of the year.
     Sheriff Randy Shirley said that Cpl. Michael Vice is the deputy of the year.
     Vice is the handler for sheriff’s office K-9 officer Dexter.
      Jailer of the year is Jessica Tucker.
      “Cpl. Vice has consistently led the agency in his enforcement efforts with over 95 arrests in 2021 including 69 drug arrests,” Shirley said.
    Shirley said that during 2021, Vice, at times with the assistance of his partner, Dexter, recovered more than $21,000 of stolen property.
    “During his time with the sheriff’s office, Cpl. Vice radiates passion and a zest for law enforcement that is reflective of his commendable successes,” Shirley said.
     Shirley said Vice is innovative and supports his colleagues, collaborating with them and offering his assistance.
    “He (Vice) routinely volunteers for for extra duty assignments as well as ensures there is adequate coverage within the patrol division,” Shirley said.
     “Cpl. Vice takes the time out to build a sense of morale within the patrol division by encouraging his peers to become more involved in the active enforcement of the ongoing drug crisis,” Shirley said.
     “He has also established partnerships with other agencies to further these enforcement tasks,” Shirley said. “Cpl. Vice is also a lifelong learner.
    “He proactively seeks out training opportunities to enhance his knowledge and skills. In 2021 alone he attended over 250 hours of training. Cpl. Vice has been and is an outstanding asset to this agency and to law enforcement,” Shirley said.
   Shirley said that Tucker works the A-shift at the jail and started working with the sheriff’s office in April of 2020.
   “While with the sheriff’s office she (Tucker) has consistently displayed a great level of professionalism and demonstrated this many times,” Shirley said.
   “While she has mainly been assigned to booking, she has been crossed-trained on each assignment within the jail,” Shirley said.
   “One of her tasks is to review incoming message traffic and requests,” Shirley said.
    Shirley said that in 2021, Tucker reviewed more than 11,500 messages and requests and approved 178 photos to be delivered to inmates.
    “She has taken it upon herself to train for the academy by committing to a physical fitness routine and by voluntarily participating in firearms training,” Shirley said.
    Shirley said Tucker is experiencing growth in her law enforcement capabilities and that her goal is to become a forensic crime scene specialist.