Staff, citizens receive recognition from Albany Police Department

ALBANY — Lauded for his strong work ethic and his great relationship with the community, Albany Police Department Cpl. Darryl Jones has been named the department’s Officer of the Year.

APD Chief Michael Persley recognized Jones and other department honorees at the Albany City Commission’s business meeting Tuesday night.

“Cpl. Jones is so well-respected in the community, he knows most people not just by their given name, but their nicknames as well,” Persley said. “For four months during 2015, he was recognized as Officer of the Month in the Criminal Investigative Bureau, and his tireless efforts allowed us to clear multiple burglary, arson and motor vehicle theft cases.”

Other department staff and citizens honored by APD Tuesday were Commander in Chief award winner Patrolman Jamie Sutton, Civilian Employee of the Year Juanita Clark, Citizen of the Year Tom Gieryic, and Partners in Excellence Hassan Mohamed with Farris Screen Printing and Buddy Blackwell with All-American Fun Park.

Sutton was recognized by Persley for risking his own safety to save the life of a man threatening suicide and for his involvement in arresting several suspects involved in a theft ring. The APD chief said Clark’s efforts have been lauded statewide and were instrumental in APD receiving its highest Crime Information Center compliance rating in years.

“She’s even gone on Facebook to help us track down suspects,” Persley said.

Blackwell and Mohamed were recognized for their willingness to participate in APD-sponsored events, while Gieryic was honored for starting the Back the Blue law enforcement support campaign.

“Mr. Gieryic was in his home when he learned that a Texas police officer was simply filling his vehicle at a gas station when someone walked up and killed him,” Persley said. “Right there in his home, the Back the Blue campaign was born that night.”

Earlier in the day, Persley received a training support Leadership Award for his mandate that a minimum of 80 percent of his officers become CIT-certified.