Exchange Club of Albany honors exemplary members of local law enforcement agencies with Officer of the Year Award

ALBANY — The Exchange Club of Albany honored exemplary members of local law enforcement agencies Friday with the presentation of the club’s annual Officer of the Year Awards.

“I want to welcome all of our officers,” the club’s Barney Knighton said. “Words cannot express how much this community supports you ladies and gentlemen. You may not hear it, but I know it would be horrible without you people, especially now that war has been declared on police officers. We do appreciate everything that you do.”

Six officers were recognized and introduced by either a commanding officer or department head. The agencies represented were the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Georgia State Patrol, the Dougherty County Police Department, the Albany Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office.

Each officer was presented a plaque commemorating his exemplary service and a cash award for distinguishing himself in the line of duty.

Ranger First Class Jessie Harrison was selected as officer of the year by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Harrison was the recipient of the Torch Award in 2015, and in 2016 earned the National Wild Turkey Federation Award for his conservation efforts. Harrison patrols an area spanning 2,764 square miles in an effort to detect and deter wildlife, boating, fishing and environmental crimes. He was described by commanding officer Sgt. Al Greer as one of the best Ranger Game Wardens that he has ever had the opportunity to work alongside.

Trooper First Class II Robert Patrick Corbin was selected by the Georgia State Patrol as its Officer of the Year. Corbin is described as an exemplary Trooper who, during 2016, conducted 1,430 motor vehicle stops, issued 682 uniformed traffic citations, including 1,284 warnings, investigated 56 motor vehicle crashes and arrested 76 impaired drivers.

For officer of the year, the Dougherty County Police Department selected Detective Sergeant David McVey. McVey served for three years in the Patrol Division before transferring to Detective Division, where he investigated numerous difficult cases, displayed compassion to victims and family members, while resolving conflicts with patience and tact.

The Albany Police Department named Investigator Nicovian Price as its Officer of the Year. Price has been with APD since 2007 and was recently recognized by the FBI for his work on the Albany DOCO Credit Union robbery. Price maintains a 100 percent clearance rate for homicides as lead investigator and is described as a tireless professional willing to work countless hours to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office selected Sgt. Wayne Baltzell as its honoree. Baltzell began working with the office in 2009 as a jailer before joining the Criminal Investigations Division in 2012. Baltzell transferred back to Uniform Division in 2014 and is described by Chief Deputy Lewis Harris as a true hero because of an incident in which Baltzell, while on patrol, came upon the scene of an attempted suicide and prevented the tragedy from occurring.

Bailiff Emmett Williams Jr. was selected as Officer of the Year by the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office. Williams has worked as bailiff in that office since 2005. According to Sheriff Kevin Sproul, Williams is dependable, hardworking, dedicated, supportive, determined and a team leader. Sproul described Williams as “an inspiration to everyone and an asset to the agency.”

“Seeing these officers up here receiving their awards should make us proud of what we have in this community,” said Knighton. “We thank you for what you do everyday.”