Sheriff's office worker awarded
Woman named county's employee of the year is called 'a mother hen'
Michelle Carter, with the Columbia County Sheriff's Department, is presented the Columbia County Employee of the Year award by county commissioner Barry Fleming.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
A filled auditorium showed just how much Michelle Carter was appreciated, said Columbia County sheriff's Capt. Johnny Whittle.
"I've got tonight most of our investigators on the right side," he said, motioning to a packed Evans Government Complex meeting room. "And that's a great testimony to what she has done."
Earlier this month, Carter - a worker in the sheriff's office's criminal investigations division - was named the county's employee of the year for 2001 at a Board of Commissioners meeting.
She was awarded with a plaque and an umbrella.
Whittle said he was glad to see Carter receive the award because of her hard work and her attitude on the job.
"She takes everything in stride, and she goes above and beyond what she's supposed to do," he said.
Whittle explained how Carter works closely with investigators to prepare for court cases.
"She's kind of like a mother hen," he joked.
Carter said it's a role she's been happy to fill.
"I've been at the sheriff's office for five years and three have been in CID," she said. "It's a pleasure to work there. I work with a great bunch of guys."
Another award - Team of the Quarter for the fourth quarter of 2001 - also went to the administrative services division of the sheriff's office.