Swainsboro Exchange Club holds Annual Public Service Appreciation Banquet

The Swainsboro Exchange Club held its annual Public Service Appreciation Banquet on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at East Georgia State College. Public servants from across the county were invited to enjoy a delicious meal, be recognized for their service, and be present for the presentation of the Bobby Powell Memorial Award, recognizing the public servant of the year. The focus of the event was to publically recognize each public servant present. Each department head was recognized and then called on each member of his or her agency to stand and be applauded for their service.

There were four nominations for the coveted Bobby Powell Memorial Award. In alphabetical order they are: Randall Gallant of the East Georgia State College Police Department. Randall has been with that department for 14 months and works alongside the other sworn officers with a primary focus on emergency preparedness and safety related services. He took it upon himself to develop a serviceability inspection procedure and monthly testing of the Automated External Defibrillators on campus, and, realizing having them is worthless if nobody knows how to operate them, he worked with Emanuel County EMS to offer the American Heart Association’s Basic Life Support training course on the campus. He has also worked with the Swainsboro Fire Department to schedule regular fire drills for all campus buildings. He also mentors and encourages students in their academic pursuits. He is truly dedicated to the mission of the East Georgia State College Police Department to provide a safe, secure, peaceful, and orderly campus environment conducive to collective learning, student success, and the pursuit of excellence.

Rocker Hartley of the Georgia Department of Community Supervision. Rocker began his career with the State Board of Pardons and Paroles in 1988 as a parole officer. He has supervised sex offenders and mental health offenders as well as carrying a regular caseload in Candler, Emanuel, and Toombs Counties in what is now the combined parole and probation agency. Rocker has received the Heroism Award for the department, and has training in Advanced Firearms, Managing Civil Actions in Threat Incidents, Street Gang Identification and Awareness. He has also served on the Crisis Intervention Team and has completed Immediate Response Team training. Rocker was recognized as a hardworking, dedicated officer who works his cases thoroughly and regularly presents in depth reports in court, being an “old school” officer who believes in compassion but knows when to apply the discipline necessary to correct those who have used up all of their options.

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Tristin Mock of the Georgia Department of Corrections, Emanuel Women’s Facility. Tristin consistently goes above and beyond to serve, whether while organizing the Little Reader’s Program or assisting any of the offender population at the facility. She is a true team player who has the ability to collaborate with colleagues, community partners, and stakeholders, which has let to successful initiatives that exemplify the mission of GDC. She manages complex projects, such as the Diamonds in the Ruff dog program, and actively addresses the needs of the offender population. She also works to provide opportunities for offender rehabilitation and prepare them for successful reintegration into society. She provides individual counseling to offenders, often addressing mental health concerns and emotional well -being, offers life skills classes, teaching communication, anger management, and conflict resolution. She even engages with offender’s families to provide support and maintain connections so re-entry into society will be enhanced.

Nicholas Robertson of the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office. Nicholas began his law enforcement career with the Millen Police Department, later moving over to the Swainsboro Police Department. He became employed with the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office in 2013, in the patrol division before being promoted to Investigator. On January 1, 2021, Nick was promoted to Chief Deputy and assumed his job of overseeing the day-to-day activities of the sheriff’s office and jail, with a combined workforce of 70 deputies, jailers and administrative staff. Nick keeps up to date on the training necessary to hold his position and has completed the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar and Force Science Class, dealing with officer involved shootings. He also is an ordained minister who speaks regularly at churches in our area. Nick’s greatest contribution is his ability to de-escalate volatile situations and help reconcile relationships, whether conflicts between warring citizens or staff members. He also fills open shifts, whether in the jail or on patrol, when staffing shortages occur. He believes in leading, not directing.

With these outstanding nominees the committee had a tough assignment, but chose Nicholas Robertson as the winner of the 2024 Bobby Powell Memorial Award.

The award was presented by Chief Judge Bobby Reeves.