Coffee County Sheriff’s Office Honors Top Performers in Annual Awards Ceremony
Coffee County, GA — Deputies, detectives, jail personnel, and civilian staff of the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office gathered this morning for a agency wide breakfast and annual address from Sheriff Fred Cole, marking both a reflection on the past year and a renewed commitment to the year ahead.
In his remarks, Sheriff Cole praised the agency’s performance throughout 2025, calling it a year defined by tireless service, measurable progress, and an unwavering focus on public safety. He also addressed the reality that not every employee who began the year remained with the office.
“Accountability is the number one priority for this agency,” Sheriff Cole said, emphasizing that maintaining high standards is essential to public trust and organizational integrity.
The gathering also marked a historic first for the agency: a formal annual awards ceremony recognizing exceptional service across multiple divisions. Sheriff Cole and his command staff instituted the program last year to ensure that the daily dedication of personnel, often carried out quietly and without fanfare, receives meaningful acknowledgment.
Detective Chris Wilson, Senior Detective of the Sex Offender Unit, received the Professional Service Award for his instrumental role in securing agency accreditation and for overseeing critical policy and employee software systems that support operational compliance and efficiency.
A.J. Phillips was presented with the Operational Excellence Award for his indispensable behind the scenes contributions to the day to day functioning of the Sheriff’s Office, work that, while rarely visible to the public, is essential to keeping the agency running smoothly.
Emma Carter earned the Employee of the Year Award in recognition of her exceptional work ethic, goal driven approach, and consistent delivery of positive results across her responsibilities.
Sherie Turner was named Jailer of the Year, honored for her reliability, professionalism, and readiness to meet the unpredictable challenges inherent in detention operations.
Detective Joseph Brown received Investigator of the Year for demonstrating the persistence, discipline, and meticulous attention to detail required to build strong cases and see them through to resolution.
Sergeant Jeremy Ganger was selected as Deputy of the Year, recognized as a supervisor who leads from the front, setting the tone through active field engagement, sound judgment, and a clear example of what is expected of every deputy.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of the agency’s highest distinction: the Sheriff’s Award. Reserved for personnel who rise decisively in critical moments, this honor recognizes those who act without hesitation, accept responsibility without prompting, and refuse to compromise under pressure.
This year’s recipients, Dalton Murray, Joseph Brown, Jesse Tovar, Jacob Greene, and Gabe Rewis, were recognized for their initiative in pursuing a hit and run suspect in a fatal case that did not originate within their jurisdiction. Acting on their own initiative, the deputies tracked down the suspect and ensured accountability for a crime that had claimed a life.
Sheriff Cole commended their actions as a reflection of the agency’s core values: Integrity, Compassion, Accountability and Professionalism.
In closing, the Sheriff outlined the administration’s priorities for the coming year, calling for action rather than rhetoric.
“It’s time that we don’t just talk about what needs to be done, we do the work,” he said, pledging that regardless of the challenges ahead, the agency will face them as one team.
Sheriff Cole assured personnel that every situation would be approached with professionalism, composure, dignity, and compassion, principles he described as the foundation of modern law enforcement and the standard by which the office intends to serve the community in the year to come.
Congratulations to all honorees for their exemplary service.