RINCON — Several City of Rincon employees were honored recently for serving at a level above and beyond their high calling.
City Clerk Dulcia King and six police officers were commended for their work during a Feb. 25 Rincon City Council meeting.
“All too often our employees are the first to be criticized and the last to be recognized for their outstanding public service,” City Manager John Klimm said at the start of the presentation.
Before turning the floor over to Chief Mark Gerbino of the Rincon Police Department, Klimm lauded King.
“I start tonight by recognizing a true professional, someone who is such an important part of our management team, who has pushed to better herself through education and training, and in so doing helped our city move forward and gain a reputation for professionalism and customer service,” he said. “This employee has dedicated herself to take over one hundred credit hours of professional training to achieve Georgia state certification in her field of expertise. This employee completed courses in new methods and approaches, enabling her to become more efficient and effective at what is done.
“This employee was recently recognized at a statewide conference, honored by her peers from all over the state. This employee is our own city clerk, Dulcia King.”
King, dubbed “the epitome of a team player” by City Planner LaMeisha Hunter Kelly, was applauded as she received proof of her state certification from the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
Gerbino, flanked by Lt. voiced appreciation for the officers he was about to honor before presenting them Distinguished Service Award plaques.
“... It’s not often that we get to appreciate the fruits of the labor of police officers in such a direct way,” he said. “I have been honored to serve with these men and woman that I am about to recognize and I look forward to serving (with them) in the future. But like everyone in the community, be assured that what you are about to hear is just the beginning of their commitment of their service to this wonderful community that we live in.”
Cpl. Curtis Smith was honored for his actions during a Feb. 18 routine patrol. After stopping a vehicle that was traveling 53 mph in a 35 mph zone, he discovered a considerable amount of contraband.
“Corporal Smith took that initial step in investigating reasonable suspicion, which led to the confiscation of $8,000 in cash, an assortment of drugs to include methamphetamine, to include THC wax and to include marijuana,” Gerbino said. “Corporal Smith took it upon himself to go above and beyond, and escalate his steps from reasonable suspicion to probably cause for an arrest.”
Detectives Lee Chadwick and Larry Harris, and Officer Dee White were recognized for a closing out a Jan. 5-19 investigation into a case of child molestation, rape and cruelty to children in the first degree.
Gerbino credited White with volunteering to work on investigations, often on her own time.
Officers Brittney Hadden and Mitchell Adderton were recognized for their joint efforts in defusing a domestic violence situation on Dec. 26, 2018. They safely arrested an armed man, who had threatened to kill his female partner, and his alleged accomplice.
Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Exley thanked the officers for their dedication.
“We as a community are blessed to have you guys here and we appreciate everything you do for in making a difference,” he said.
