Rabun Co. Sheriff’s Office recognizes Employees

The Rabun County Sheriff’s Office held its annual employee appreciation Christmas celebration recently and honored some of the hardworking employees of the Sheriff’s Office.  After nominations from their peers, Deputy Steven Barnes was awarded Deputy of the Year, and Detention Officer Sgt. Michael Naylor was awarded Detention Officer of the Year.  The Supervisor of the Year was awarded to Sgt. Riley Owens with the patrol division.  As all are aware that tragedy struck the Sheriff’s Office and community on September 1, 2021, when Cpl. Courtney Zajdowicz was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver on her way to work.  Last year Sheriff Chad Nichols created a new award within the Sheriff’s Office designated as the Cpl. Courtney Zajdowicz DUI Award.  This award is to honor Courtney and to provide recognition to a deputy for the most successful number of DUI arrests.  The Cpl. Courtney Zajdowicz DUI Award was awarded to Deputy Steven Barnes for his efforts in DUI Enforcement with the most DUI arrest in 2022.  Cpl. Zajdowicz’s family attended the event to assist with the presentation of this award.  Deputy Matthew Chaney and Cpl. Stacy Adams were also recognized for their bravery while out patrolling the county.  These two deputies heard the dispatching of a structure fire in the Lakemont area and responded to the scene.  These deputies arrived on the scene and entered the burning structure to make sure no one was still in the residence.  After clearing the empty home they remained on the scene and assisted the fire services.  Thank you to all the hardworking men and women of the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office for your service to our community.  To see pictures from the event, visit https://www.facebook.com/RabunCountySheriffsOffice/.