Everyday Heroes 2020

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EVERYDAY HEROES 2020

This publication is in honor of

our dedicated heroes.

We thank you all.

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Centerville Fire

Department

Firefighter JOSEPH LAIMANA

By KENDRA NORMAN HOLMES

With Firefighter Joseph Laimana being a fairly new addition to his

central Georgia unit, he finds himself especially honored to serve

alongside other, more seasoned peers who consider him to be an

outstanding member of the team. It was just about a year and a half

ago that Laimana began his career at Centerville Fire Department,

and to know that he is admired by many of his colleagues is quite

humbling for him.

“This is a very big honor,” Laimana said of being selected as Firefighter

of the Year. “This is a great team, and there are so many other guys

here who deserve it. I’m just honored by all this. I wasn’t expecting it

at all.”

Laimana who currently lives in High Falls, got his start in Monroe

County as a volunteer firefighter, and he continues to serve there,

when possible. “I started there in 2016, so I have a total of four

years in firefighting,” he explained. “I’m full-time on the staff here in

Centerville, but I work part-time and on a volunteer basis in Monroe

County.”

Born and raised in south metro Atlanta, Laimana said that becoming a

firefighter is something that he put off for a long time before actually

pursuing it. “I’d wanted to do it for a while,” he said. “Eventually, I

put my best foot forward and decided to go for it.” He received his

Firefighter 1 accreditation in Monroe County where he has resided

for the past 13 years.

“When I first started doing this, I wasn’t looking at it as a career

choice,” Laimana admitted. “I was totally looking at it as something

to do on a voluntary basis. It was just about finding a way to help out

the community. The community up there [Monroe County] had done

so much for me, that I just wanted to give back.”

Laimana stated that the decision to pursue life as a firefighter was

inspired by his desire to be a good role model for his son, who is

now 13 years old. “I wanted to show him ways to help other people.

I wanted to show him that if he tried hard enough, he could achieve

anything he wanted to. I wanted to be somebody my son could look

up to.” Laimana said that he’s been told that his son now shows

signs of wanting to follow in his

footsteps. “He shows it to other

people, but not so much to me,”

he said, laughing.

Being a good example to his son is

important to Laimana. That’s largely

due to his own deep respect for

the woman who raised him. “My

mom raised me and my brother,

and she’s always been a big motivation

to me.” Laimana admires

the fact that his mother effectively

raised her sons as a single parent.

Her determination and fortitude

are large driving forces behind

Laimana’s desire to succeed. “She

most definitely gets a lot of credit

for who I am today,” he stressed.

Another female member of his

family also played a role in Laimana

making his career choice as a

fireman. “My cousin, Renee used

to be a firefighter in Gainesville,”

Laimana shared. “She just does

transports now with an ambulance

service, but she was a big encouragement

to me as well.”

Being a firefighter is not for the faint at heart, and Laimana has the

stories to prove it. In the time span that he’s been working as a firefighter,

Laimana said that the very first call he went on is still the one

that stands out most in his mind. “It was a call to the interstate that

turned out to be a fatal accident,” he said. “That’s when I knew that

this was what I wanted to do. The victims were younger,” he went on

to explain. “There were children involved, and dealing with incidents

like that—the ones that involved children—was the one thing that I

wondered if I’d really be able to handle, and it turned out to be my

first call.” Laimana said it all became real to him at that moment.

“That’s the kind of moment that makes you or breaks you,” he stated.

And from that moment, he knew that helping people and doing

everything he could to help save their lives—whether the efforts

were successful or not—was what he wanted to do.

Laimana said that even though firefighters have to face really tough

realities like that one, the calls with happy endings outnumber that

sad ones. “It makes you feel good to be able to put out a fire before it

gets bad, or when you pull somebody from a fire and are able to save

his or her life even if you can’t save the car or the house,” he pointed

out. “Or, even those times when houses gets burned badly, but we’re

able to eventually put out the fire and go in and save some of the

items that belong to people. To see their faces when we’re able to

give them back some of the little things that they cherish and save

some of their memories; that’s something that makes me feel good.

It may not mean much to most, but when somebody thinks they’ve

lost everything, and you’re able to give them that little bit back—

that’s really awesome.”

Retiring as a firefighter would be a wish come true for Laimana, who

is now 35 years old. “That’s most definitely what I want to do,” he

confirmed, further mentioning that he also has interest in functioning

in ministry. “I’m thinking of going to chaplain school at some point.

There is a place for a chaplain within the fire department, but I don’t

know if that’s where my role in ministry would be. All I know is that

God put me here,” Laimana said of his placement at Centerville Fire

Department. “I’m working toward my license in ministry through

Rock Springs Church,” he continued. “Right now I go to the jails and

minister to the inmates there. If my chaplaincy puts me in a role at

the fire department, I’ll minister as a part of my assignment here

too.”

4


Centerville police

Department

CAPTAIN BILLY BONEY

By KRISTIN MORIARTY

Billy Boney was born and raised in

Macon, Georgia. After high school,

he signed up to join the Army and

served three years. He then went

on to become a diesel mechanic

for seven years, but always had in

the back of his mind that he wanted

to be a police officer. One thing

led to another, and Boney has now

completed a 40-year career in law

enforcement.

Boney first went to work at the

Bibb County Law Enforcement

Center. While there, he was a

jailer, radio operator and a drug

dog handler. Boney was also a part

of the Macon-Bibb Drug Task Force

Squad.

“I’d argue that I had the best drug

dog in the state back then,” Boney

said. “His name was Bloo. A lot

of people remember him. I spent five years with Bibb County, and

then I went on to the Macon Police Department in 1985. I worked my

way through the ranks, and then one day Chief Jim Brooks and the

mayor called me in and asked if I wanted to start a drug interdiction

unit, and so I did. I then went to the Perry Georgia State Patrol Post

and was the number three guy. I did drug interdiction for 10 years. It

was hard work, but it was very rewarding in getting it (drugs) off the

streets.”

There was one call that still sticks with Boney to this day. Back then, it

made him take a step back to reevaluate his career.

“Back in 1996, I stopped a guy on Interstate 75 south at Eisenhower

US 80, for a traffic violation,” Boney said. “He got out of the car and

was acting kind of crazy and started walking toward me, and then he

started to charge at me. So I sprayed a whole can of pepper spray on

him. I forgot about the guardrail, and after I sprayed him, he hit me,

and I went over the guardrail. He and I fought for our lives on the side

of the road. Fortunately, I wrestled in high school, so I was able to get

on top of him. He was strong because at one point he went to reach

for my gun and ended up ripping off my pepper spray holder that was

on my belt. I was able to get up and secure my position to draw my

weapon on him, but as I did that, he got back in his car and took off.”

Boney called for back up, and the six units that responded were able

to box the suspect in and arrest him. It took a toll on Boney because

he said just before and after his incident, he had two police officer

friends that were killed on the interstate from a similar situation like

his.

“It shook me up, and so much so, that I had to revaluate my career

in drug interdiction,” Boney said. “I decided to then start applying

for chief of police jobs. I got hired as the chief of the Gray Police

Department in 1999, and worked there for two years. Then I went

back to Macon Police for another three years, and was then hired as

the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy. I spent 10 years with

Twiggs County.”

In 2015 Boney retired from the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office, but became

bored and tried another job in insurance. Boney couldn’t really

stay away from law enforcement so when an opportunity presented

itself with the Centerville Police Department, he accepted.

“I got a call from a friend of mine, Roger Hayes, and he told me about

the captain’s position open at Centerville Police Department and

asked if I was interested,” Boney said. “I very much was because I had

missed law enforcement a lot. So I got in touch with Chief (Chuck)

Hadden, had great conversations, I interviewed, and was hired.”

Earlier this year in February, Boney had eye surgery that was successful,

but not long after the surgery, he suffered a stroke. Boney said

it was a scary experience, and although he had to learn how to walk

again, he has recovered well. At the end of April, Boney was cleared

by his doctors, and is doing so well that he is able to drive again.

“Everyone was so supportive during that difficult time,” Boney said. “I

love Centerville and the people of this city. The mayor and city council

actually care about the police department, and it’s been an enjoyable

working environment. It’s been a true blessing. My whole career

has been a blessing. None of my family was in law enforcement, but I

always had a feeling that it was a calling on my life. Once I began my

career, it consumed me. Every time I was promoted through the ranks

or different divisions, I wanted to keep learning and progressing. I’ve

done everything you can think of, and I even was an instructor for the

DEA (drug enforcement administration), traveling everywhere, and

training others.”

Boney expressed his appreciation to Hadden, all of Centerville Police

Department, as well as the other local agencies: Houston County

Sheriff’s Office, Perry Police Department, and Warner Robins Police

Department. He also shared some advice.

“Be careful, watch each other’s backs, be friendly, and treat others

the way you would want to be treated,” Boney said. “Show compassion

and empathy for others’ situations because the more you do, the

more respect you’ll earn.”


THANK YOU TO ALL OUR

FRONTLINE WORKERS AND

FIRST RESPONDERS

FOR YOUR DEDICATION

AND HARD WORK.

6


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478-971-4112

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Warner Robins, GA


Houston County

Fire Department

Firefighter/PARAMEDIC SCOTT HAYSMAN


Firefighter-Paramedic Scott Haysman is a young man of just 25 years,

and he has only been with Houston County Fire Department (HCFD)

since 2016, but his journey to becoming a firefighter started at an

age when many youngsters have no clue as to their life’s purpose.

Haysman, on the other hand, said this is something he was born to

do, and he believes he was born to do it here, in Houston County.

“Although I’ve been a firefighter elsewhere, Houston County is the

place where I initially got my start,” Haysman explained. He was still

a student at Houston County High School when he got his first taste

of what being a firefighter would entail. “I was a member of what is

called the Junior Firefighter Explorers. It’s a program for people ages

14 to 20 years old, and I was in the 10th grade at the time I joined.”

Upon graduating high school, Haysman said he relocated to Savannah,

where he went to EMT school (Rescue Training Inc.) and firefighters

school (at Southside Fire Department; now Chatham Emergency

Services). “I got my EMT credentials in 2013 and my firefighter

credentials in 2014,” Haysman shared. He went on to work in Savannah

as a firefighter until 2016, which is when he came back home to

his roots: Warner Robins. Currently, Haysman works as a firefighter at

HCFD on both a part-time and a volunteer basis, while simultaneously

being employed as a full-time emergency room nurse at Coliseum

Medical Center in Macon.

“As far back as I can remember, I always knew I’d be doing this,” said

Haysman, adding that his father not only encouraged him to pursue

life as a firefighter, but was also the inspiration behind his decision

to go to nursing school. “My dad was a fireman when I was growing

up,” Haysman revealed. “He worked at Savannah Fire as a firefighter,

and he also worked as an EMT. So I guess you can say who I am—I got

it from him.” Haysman added that his father worked in law enforcement

as well.

The versatility of having a medical background comes in quite handy

in his job as a fireman. “As most people know, the fire department

responds to medical emergencies as well,” Haysman reported. “It’s

good to have that [medical] experience because if necessary, I’m able

8


to treat a patient accordingly. The

ambulance doesn’t always arrive

as quickly as the fire department,”

he further stated. “A lot of times,

we’re on the scene a few minutes

ahead of them; so, if the need is

there, it’s good to have that medical

background to be able to lend

a hand until the medics arrive.”

The challenges that come with being

a firefighter are numerous. For

Haysman, wrecks on the roadways

rank high on the list. “You have to

have hypervigilance on the interstate,”

he said. “Others sometimes

drive right next to you or zoom

past you while you’re trying to get

to your destination. People don’t

always slow down or clear the way

for emergency vehicles like they

should. That’s a time when we

have to have a heightened sense

of caution. A lot of times, we have to try to avoid getting in an accident

while we’re on our way to an accident site.” Haysman said that

once they arrive at sites where wrecks have taken place, what they

face is sometimes gruesome. Fires ignited by vehicle collisions and

those that happen on worksites, he noted, are typically the ones with

the highest potential to be deadly.

To date in his career, Haysman said, “I think the most worried I’ve

been was when we were called to the scene of an industrial fire at

one of the concrete plants in Clinchfield.” Thankfully, according to

Haysman, there was no loss of life from that incident, but he added,

“There was the report of an explosion, so we didn’t know what to

expect because in cases like that, there’s always a high potential of

danger.”

With Haysman getting his start so early in life as a firefighter, his

profession is something that he said his mother had to eventually

get used to. “When I was younger and still living at home, and I

would tell her that I was headed to a fire, she’d always say, ‘Please be

careful.’ But overtime, she’s gotten used to it. My mom’s been around

it enough,” he said, alluding to his father’s involvement in the same

profession. “She knows this is what I love to do, but if she calls me,

and I’m at the fire station on my part-time shift, she still always ends

the call with, ‘Be careful’ because she knows there’s always a risk.”

Haysman said he couldn’t imagine ever leaving the firefighter profession.

He has no regrets of his life choice. It’s something he’d like to do

until retirement age. At age 25, he has a lot of years to go, but he said

he’s looking forward to the future. Haysman encourages others to

consider the profession as well; even if it’s just on a volunteer basis.

“We’re always accepting volunteers, whether people are already

certified or not,” he said. “We have a rookie class that is put on once

a year where people who want to volunteer are trained. Volunteers

are not paid, of course, but there are other incentives that come

along with it.” For Houston County kids in high school who feel that

firefighting is what they want to do, Haysman strongly recommends

the Junior Firefighter Explorers program. “It’s a great place to start,”

he said.

houston county

sheriff’s office

DEPUTY JUSTIN ANDREWS

By KRISTIN MORIARTY

Deputy Justin Andrews has been

with the Houston County Sheriff’s

Office now for four years, and

while he has only been on the

patrol unit for one year, Andrews

said this will be a lifelong career

for him.

Andrews was born in Macon and

raised in Crawford County, Ga.

After high school, he went on to

Central Georgia Technical College

to become a mechanic, which he

did and spent 14 years working

as a mechanic. He then went on

to work at a gun range in Macon,

where he also got involved in

shooting competitions. Through

those competitions, he met several

law enforcement officers, one of

which was from Houston County

Sheriff’s Office who sparked Andrews’

interest in becoming an officer.

“I never thought about law enforcement growing up,” Andrews said.

“No one in my family was a police officer, but my dad and brothers

served in the military. So growing up, I kind of had that discipline

there and respect for authority. Now, I wasn’t the best teenager, but

I eventually came around. Not long after becoming friends with the

police officers I met at the gun range, I became more interested in

the field. So, I began that journey in 2014 and was hired onto the

Houston County Sheriff’s Office in 2016, beginning working at the

jail.”

Andrews worked at the Houston County Detention Center for two

and half years. While there, he was promoted to transport unit for

the jail, spending nine months in that role. He then graduated from

mandate and was assigned to the patrol unit in March of 2019. In

March of this year, 2020, Andrews experienced a traumatic call that

he said he still, from time to time, struggles with processing.

“I was on nightshift at the time, and was actually working overtime

on that Saturday night,” Andrews said. “I was down at the south end

of the county. Around 3:30 a.m., I was sitting on Highway 41 and

South Perry Parkway near the fairgrounds, when the call came out.

Initially, dispatch said it was an 18-wheeler versus car accident. I

drove as fast as I could, and when I stopped, it wasn’t the 18-wheeler

that was involved. In fact, the one that was involved was a quarter

mile past where the vehicle was. I got out, and the men who stopped

were telling me that the people in the van were not moving.”

Andrews said around that time, it had been raining almost everyday.

It had been raining the night of this call, but it had stopped.

“One part of the van was in the ditch and the water came to about

mid calf of my legs,” Andrews said. “As I went to the front, I saw that

the female driver was slumped over, and when I called for her, she

didn’t respond. I couldn’t open her door, so I was going to bust the

window out, but I wanted to make sure it was clear before I did that.

So, I shined my flashlight, and I saw a car seat turned over in the

back. My adrenaline kicked in even more. Given the fact the driver

wasn’t responding I immediately pried opened the passenger door

and when I did I saw a little boy under the dash.”

The little boy was about three to four years old, and Andrews discovered

he had no pulse. He began CPR on him.

“I wasn’t having any luck and just kept going until EMS arrived on

scene,” Andrews said. “Well, a Dooly County Sheriff’s deputy arrived

before EMS, and he took over because I was getting tired from

conducting CPR. But I went back to the van because something told

me there had to be another child in there. There was. It was another

little boy, but he was in the car seat turned over. He was crying, but

he was OK. We then shut down the interstate for the helicopter to

come in and transport them to the hospital. Sadly, the mother and

the first little boy I found didn’t make it.”

Andrews said if it wasn’t for his faith in God, that call would have

consumed him.

“I became a Christian early on in life, and I take my faith very serious,”

Andrews said. “I am very grateful for God’s love and guidance.

Of course, calls like that will shake you up, but if you give it to God,

He will get you through it. This profession comes with both sacrifice

and reward. You always hope for the better outcome, but you take it

in stride and keep going.”

Andrews’ goals are to explore different paths in the sheriff’s office

with the different divisions. He said his knack is patrol and hopes to

be in a lieutenant or captain’s position one day.

“I like this job a lot because it’s something different everyday,” Andrews

said. “I especially enjoy the Houston County Sheriff’s Office.

We are well-respected throughout the state, and we have the best

sheriff in the state. He lets us do our job and he trusts us. I can’t wait

to see what the future has in store for me in my career.”


houston county 911 center

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS

MANAGER TIM EALER

By LAUREN HARRIS

Tim Ealer said that he has

been with the Houston County

911 Center since 2004. As

the Communications Systems

Manager, Ealer shared that

he is responsible for pretty

much anything that has to do

with IT, including the 911-call

system and managing the

radio system, as well as the

laptops in the field.

Ealer divulged that when

someone calls 911, the

phone system is answered,

the call is dispatched, and

then it is responded to as

quickly as possible. Ealer

said that the fulfilling part is

when you are trying to help

the public and everything

works in the way that it

should, and people get the

help that they need.

Ealer said that he takes pride in the center because he manages the

equipment and makes sure that it functions properly. He explained

the ultimate goal is to have the system work the way that it should

every time.

“In the end, we work for the people out there, and if they don’t get

the help they need in a timely manner, that could really be a problem,”

Ealer stressed.

Though not a dispatcher on the phone interfacing directly with the

public requesting help, Ealer said that he is ultimately responsible to

make sure that happens.

According to Ealer, he joined the United States Air Force at the age

of 18 and was involved in electronics; officially, ground radio repair.

Ealer said that he served 15 years, most of which, he explained, was

in combat communications. Following that, he worked in a local radio

shop, after which he came to work for the county.

Ealer said that though he is no longer in the military, it is still important

in his life.

“My military time really shaped me and shaped my personality in

some ways. It helped me, because the Air Force gave structure and

helped me find purpose,” said Ealer, also explaining that he has

served the public and the country his entire life.

“My career has been all over the place. I have traveled all over the

world,” Ealer shared, listing countries including Saudi Arabia, Israel,

Greece, Belgium and Peru, among others. Ealer also informed that

his career has taken him across the United States, including working

White House Communications and time at Camp David.

“White House Communications really introduced me to different

things that you wouldn’t see in a regular military organization. [We]

worked with a lot of commercial products rather than what you

would see in a strictly military operation. I learned a lot,” Ealer said.

He further shared that he is currently studying to be a meteorologist

when he retires.

Ealer said that around the time of his hire, the county had installed

a new radio system, and they needed someone to manage it. He

said that he had installed the system, and knew it inside and out.

Ealer already had all the knowledge and technical expertise, and was

hired to do the job. He said that his role has expanded from then to

include other forms of IT.

“I really enjoy doing stuff with the radio system more than anything

… but that’s a small part of my job to be honest,” Ealer said, further

noting that the radio system is very reliable and they have reliable

vendors.

A lot of his time, Ealer said, is spent managing the laptops used by

deputies in the field—making sure that they are working properly,

updating them, and working out any problems that may arise. Ealer

explained that when he started out, this wasn’t the case, but over

the years, as technology evolved, this aspect of his job has become

more involved.

There is satisfaction to be found in being presented with a problem,

finding the solution, and figuring things out. Also responsible for

interfacing with vendors in reference to IT, Ealer explained that he is

responsible for working with them to solve issues as well.

Ealer also noted that he enjoys being able to help deputies and officers

who come to him with questions.

“For me, it’s something I have done a million times, so I know how to

fix it, and to be able to pass that on and make people’s jobs easier is

important,” Ealer expressed.

The 911 Center, according to Ealer, is a great place to work. He noted

that the team there, during the COVID-19 pandemic, has become like

a family, helping to care of each other and ensuring that everyone is

all right.

“For me, this experience with COVID-19 is nothing like I’ve ever seen

before in my life, and we have a responsibility to maintain the level

of service that we have with it going on or not,” Ealer said.

10


Houston Healthcare

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE

EMT JOSHUA SELIGMAN

By LAUREN HARRIS

Emergency Medical Technician Joshua Seligman, with Houston

Healthcare, joined the United States Marine Corps prior to the terror

attacks of September 11, 2001. According to Seligman, after the Iraqi

invasion, there was a gross shortage of medics in the Marines and

Navy corpsmen, so he used tuition assistance to go through the EMT

training program.

“I wanted to be a police officer initially, but when I joined the Marines,

I was too young to be an MP, so I ended up going [into] the infantry,

and going over to the military fire department to go to school

to get into fire and EMS,” Seligman shared.

That, he said, is how he gained his passion for Emergency Medical

Services. From the Marines, Seligman shared, he moved to the Army,

to further his medical career and education, and is now in the civilian

world. He said he has been in the field for almost 17 years.

Seligman said that the most important thing that EMTs do has nothing

to do with schooling, explaining, “You have to have compassion

for other people.”

Seligman said that he may pick up a patient in respiratory or cardiac

arrest, where they are keeping those people alive, transport them to

the hospital, and then go back out, and be called to a back injury or

twisted knee.

“That is an emergency to that person…” Seligman said, and further

explaining that the biggest part of the job is that sometimes people

just want someone to be compassionate and listen to them.

“The best pain medication out there isn’t in a drug box—it’s laughter

and listening. Listen to that person’s story; tell them a joke. I once

brought a pregnant woman out of eclampsia by getting her to talk

about her favorite ice cream—it was moose tracks, by the way,” Seligman

informed.

Seligman also recalled one of his first calls, as a young EMT, which he

now can look back on with humor.

“A lady was absolutely horrified—she got her toe stuck in the down

spout of her bath tub,” Seligman said.

He explained further that the woman

had tried to wait for her husband to

arrive home and avoid calling for help,

but they were in the Mohave Desert

where it gets down to freezing at night.

Seligman said that the woman started to

enter hypothermia, which prompted her

to put in the call. The woman was embarrassed

to have called, Seligman said.

“We were like, ‘Ma’am, no, this is okay.

You’re turning blue, you’re fine [to call

us].” Seligman shared. The woman, he

explained, was all right in the end.

Ironically, the worst call that Seligman

said he could recall was also what he

considered the best. Seligman stated

that there had been a bad car accident

involving a vehicle rollover. An elderly

couple in their 90s had sustained severe

injuries and required transportation to

the hospital. He divulged that the couple

had been transported together, because

they were keeping each other stable. Seligman said the husband

informed them that they had been married for 56 years.

“Them talking to each other and being around each other kept them

stable long enough for us to get them to the trauma center and get

them the treatment they needed,” Seligman recalled, reporting that

both the husband and wife are fine now.

Seligman shared that the most fulfilling part about his profession is

the chance to change someone’s day.

“Someone has called us because they are having what could be the

worst day of their life, and we get the chance to take what could be

the worst day of their life and maybe not save the day, but make it

a little better or easier to deal with. Sometimes we do save the day,

sometimes we don’t, but we get the opportunity to help them in

what could be their darkest hour,” Seligman said.

Seligman said that there are the fair-share of good and bad days, but

he doesn’t want to bring that home to his four children.

“I tell myself on the drive home: I did everything I could today. I did

everything to the best of my ability. I helped the patient in whatever

way I could. And sometimes, you do have a bad one, and that’s when

we EMS rely on each other,” Seligman said.

Most of the EMT’s, Seligman explained, are friends and acquaintances

outside of work, and if they have a particularly bad call, they

have someone they can reach out to. Seligman said that his group is

famous for grabbing a burger after work, and sometimes, Seligman

noted, they talk about work, and other times they don’t. Everyone,

Seligman shared, finds their own way to cope.

Seligman said that though it is nice when someone recognizes him,

he doesn’t do it for awards and accolades.

“We do it because somewhere inside of us, we have to help people.

We can’t help it,” Seligman shared, explaining that even when he is

off duty, he will still stop for a car wreck and provide assistance until a

fire engine or ambulance arrives.

“It’s a part of who we are.” Seligman said.


houston HEALTHCARE

LEAD CRITICAL CARE TECHNICIAN

BOBBY CARROLL

By LAUREN HARRIS

Bobby Carroll said the inspiration for this entrance to the field of

emergency services was twofold. Carroll explained that growing up,

he was exposed to different first responders and law enforcement,

and that he had always felt admiration for those in the field. For

him, he said, it was not about basketball players and football players;

it was about first responders.

The other factor, Carroll shared, was the popular 70s TV show,

“Emergency,” starring Randolph Mantooth as paramedic John Gage

and Kevin Tighe, as paramedic Roy DeSoto.

“Any responder out there knows that show—Johnny Gage and Roy

Desoto. Not only did it influence me, but it influenced an entire

generation to get into this line of work,” Carroll shared.

As the Lead Critical Care Technician, Carroll said that he is like a

jack-of-all-trades. Carroll shared that in addition to training the staff

nurses and technicians, he also handles emergency preparedness

for the emergency room, as well as the entire hospital and all of

the outlying facilities of Houston Healthcare. Carroll also said he is

involved with the police officers that serve and assist at the hospital.

Carroll explained that he has had a 19-year career at the hospital,

but has been in the field of emergency services for over 20 years.

A part of what makes his job fulfilling, Carroll said, is something he

has witnessed with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Right now, what I really love to see is, we’re having a national

emergency right now, and to see the community come together,

and all the boundaries that we would normally have are broken.

People that would not normally get along are all coming together,”

Carroll explained. He further noted that he hasn’t seen the likes of

the current coming together since 9/11.

“The way we have all come together when we have an emergency,

the way that we all drop those boundaries; I think that is awesome,”

Carroll noted.

Carroll said that in his career, he has never seen anything like the

current situation.

“I am confident that we are going to get through this. If we continue

to stick together and continue the partnership and cooperation and

the comradery that we have now, we are going to be fine. We are going

to get through this,” Carroll said, further clarifying that the road

to other side would be rough, and there was no denying that, but he

maintained that we would make it through.

In addition, Carroll also said that there were hard aspects to the job.

“Anything that involves pediatrics, not only for myself, but I think

for all responders, is hard to handle.” Carroll shared that there have

been some horrific cases, and that he believes it is hardest when

something involves a child.

When it comes to going home, Carroll explained that it’s more about

distraction than “turning it off.” He said the belief that there is a

“switch” that gets turned off when responders leave work is not

accurate.

“That switch is never fully off. Do we have distractions? Of course we

do. Mine would have to be my kids. I love to fish, I love photography—so

it’s a distraction, but something is always there,” Carroll said,

explaining that the “switch” idea doesn’t work for him.

“Some of these people, we are never going to forget, and some of

the cases, we are never going to forget,” he said.

Carroll said there are also funny things that happen on the job, and

that a patient can change the mood.

“[The patients] can be in a critical situation and they will show that

sense of humor, and sometimes I wonder if they are not taking care

of us, instead of us taking care of them,” Carroll divulged.

Carroll explained that he has been in situations in which his demeanor

had been very serious and somber, and the patient will make light

with a joke or do something Carroll described as “off the wall.” This,

he said, makes the entire mood change.

In recalling a fun time, Carroll shared a story about a yearly competition

in which the departments of the hospital compete against

each other, using a medical theme, to show what they were working

on that time. He shared that during one particular competition, his

department’s theme was “triage,” so the department’s choice in exhibition

was modeled after the television show, “MASH.”

“We had all the characters from “MASH,” and this massive triage set

up… and I ended up being ‘Klinger,’” Carroll said.

Carroll recalled that he dressed in the full ensemble: “I had the

gloves, the dress, the high heels; the whole nine yards.” Carroll said

that he paraded that way the entire night, and the department received

first place that year.

12


FLINT ENERGIES

LINEMAN

TONY GRAHAM

By JOSHUA MILLER

Born and raised in Warner Robins, Georgia, Tony Graham hasn’t left

his beloved hometown.

Playing sports and being outdoors is what Graham lived for growing

up. Whether it was football, baseball, golf, hunting or fishing; it was

about all he did.

After graduating from Houston County High School, Graham first

picked up a career as a welder, but it didn’t last.

“I was welding at this shop and kind of realized I wasn’t going to

make the kind of career I wanted out of it, and be able to stay

home,” said Graham. “So, one of the guys I worked with brought up

(working as an electrical lineman); I didn’t know anything about it

at that time, but I started looking into it and got interested. I looked

more into it and decided to leave my welding job and go to school

to be a lineman.”

To make the transition, Graham went out on a limb by completely

leaving his welding job to enroll into lineman class. The classes he

took were full time, eight hours a day, every day, for eight weeks,

and the classes were not even required in order to become a

lineman. Graham took it upon himself to take the classes and learn

about the job.

Being a pedestrian, watching linemen casually work elevated high in

a bucket, it seems like they simply fix what’s wrong, but it’s not as

simple as they can make it seem. The job can be demanding, risky

and tough to endure. So, having knowledge of the job made it much

easier for Graham.

After completing his courses, Graham was employed as a lineman.

He’s coming up on his fourth year working at Flint Energies and has

been a lineman for seven

years.

Once Graham worked on

calls, he realized his knowledge

wasn’t as important

as the teamwork it took to

complete a job. With his

sports playing background,

being a team player is second

nature to Graham.

“When you’re up in the

bucket or dealing with

any hot wiring, you have

someone else up there

working with you too,” said

Graham. “The decision you

make might not only affect

you, but it might affect him

too. So, you have to pay

attention to what they’re

doing and let them know

what you’re going to do.”

While in the bucket,

Graham is also exposed to

the elements, and weather

conditions can change the difficulty of a job significantly. His most

memorable call was repairing lines after an ice storm hit Oklahoma.

“We went out to Oklahoma, worked a big ice storm and kind of

worked our way back home,” Graham remembered. “We were

gone for a couple of weeks, met a lot of people and saw a whole

different part of the country. They had a big ice storm there and

had some tornadoes on top of that, so they had a lot of damage.”

Working as a team under harsh and potentially dangerous circumstances

builds camaraderie. For Graham, his favorite part of the job

are the bonds he’s built with coworkers.

“My favorite part hands down is the camaraderie between all the

guys I work with,” said Graham. “I see them more than I see my

family. We can joke, cut up and still do our job; that’s definitely my

favorite part.”

While fixing a line is a very risky job, workers like Graham are

generally in a completely safe environment when everything is

done correctly. The number one risk is getting shocked by the high

voltage, but Graham will tell you he’s “100% safe” while working.

Graham’s assignments aren’t just fixing the big power lines though.

Linemen can vary from changing out a pole, to giving new service

to a new house, or rebuilding a whole sectional line; those are just

a few of many tasks Graham must be ready for everyday.

Come October of 2020, Graham will be employed at Flint for four

years, and his apprenticeship will be completed. Graham will soon

get the official lineman title at Flint and plans to keep moving up.

After two more years of being a lineman at Flint, Graham can test

to become a journeyman, the highest rank of a lineman. Next step

is crew leader or service lineman, if everything permits.


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perry Fire

Department

Firefighter CALEB WOODS


With the actions and sacrifices that his job requires, 28-year-old

Caleb Woods of Perry Fire Department said he truly feels like hero.

“It’s rewarding. Sometimes we see stuff that we don’t want to see,

and sometimes we see stuff that we don’t want to talk about, but

every morning that we wake up, we have to be ready for whatever.

It’s my job, and I understand that, ” Woods continued, “but it’s

rewarding when it all pays off.”

Going out and helping people is what’s most gratifying for Woods. He

said although firefighters don’t take an official oath to be there whenever

the public needs them, it’s a personal oath that he takes within

his heart, and he believes most firefighters do the same. “Whatever

we need to do,” he said, “we try our best to do it.”

Woods joined Perry Fire Department on November 30, 2016. “I

kind of like numbers,” he said of why he recalls the exact date so

effortlessly. His career as a whole began two years earlier in Peach

County. “I finished rookie school in 2014 and started out as a volunteer

in Peach County, but my very first shift with the city of Perry

was November 30, 2016.” Woods is a full time firefighter with Perry

Fire Department but said he still picks up shifts in Peach County as a

part-time firefighter there. “I lived in Peach County for a while,” he

explained, “but I live in Unadilla now.”

When it comes to his career as a firefighter, Woods said that his

father is still his greatest influencer and mentor. “My dad and I are

real close,” he acknowledged. “He was a fireman for years with Peach

County when I was growing up.” Woods stated that at one time his

father served as a volunteer station chief in Peach County and even

today, he is a part of the unit there on a part-time/volunteer basis.

Woods recalled the day that following in his father’s footsteps settled

in his heart. “I actually woke up one day and had a conversation with

my fiancé. I told her, ‘I think I’m going to go to rookie school with

Peach because they’re about to

open it up.’” Woods said that he

started the schooling and found

so much enjoyment in the adrenalin

rush that he got during the

entire process.

He had already received his

Firefighter 1 credentials and was

in the process of completing the

requirements for his Firefighter 2

credentials when he learned that

Perry Fire was hiring. By this time,

Woods had gotten married, and

his wife was among the first that

he told of his intent to pursue the

position. “I applied, did my interview

and completed everything

that was required. A little after

that, I got an email from Chief

Crumpton asking me if I’d be willing

to take the job at Perry.”

Woods shared that he got both

his Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2

credentials, as well as his Vehicle

Extrication credentials through Peach County. He completed his

Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) training through Houston

County while volunteering with Peach County. All other credentials

and trainings that he’s received have come through Perry Fire.

Saving people’s lives and their property have been the highlights of

Woods’ career to date. “We’re often the first ones at the site,” he

said. “Being able to get there early and get the situation under control

is always the best case scenario. I’ve been able to do that both

here and in Peach County.” Woods said that his experiences at both

stations have been great, but he admits that working at the station

with his team members at Perry Fire has better met his desire to

want to interact with a larger crew in a more active environment.

As one who approaches every emergency as if it involves someone

who is dear to him, Woods encourages the general public to do the

same. “When a fire vehicle is seen coming with lights flashing, it

would be great if everybody thought of it like, ‘maybe they’re headed

to save someone in my family.’ Nobody wants anything bad to

happen to anyone that they love,” Wood pointed out, “so if drivers

always thought like that, they’d pull over and let us by so we can get

to where we need to be quickly and safely.”

Making firefighting a lifelong career is Woods’ intent. “I’ve heard my

dad say that if he could go back in time, he would make a career as a

full-time firefighter instead of taking on other jobs and just volunteering

and working part-time as a fireman.” From his father’s words

of wisdom, Woods has taken notes. “I plan to retire as a full-time

firefighter, and it makes me feel good that folks thought enough of

me to choose me,” he said of his selection as an everyday hero. “It’s

like they’ve seen me work hard and seen that I’m doing what I’m

supposed to do and that I’m getting the job done. It’s an honor. It

doesn’t just make me look good. It makes my department look good.

It makes my profession look good.”

16


perry police

Department

Detective SERGEANT JASON JONES

By KRISTIN MORIARTY

“We’re out here to protect and

serve the public, and do so in a

compassionate and understanding

way,” – Perry Police Department

Detective Sergeant Jason Jones.

Public safety is a way of life for

Jones. He started out as a volunteer

firefighter at the age of 16, to later

on entering the law enforcement

side. Jones was born and raised in

Triune, Tennessee. No one in his

family had a career in public safety.

What sparked his interest were

the stories from working at a local

grocery store when he was 16.

“The man who ran the grocery

store was also a volunteer firefighter,”

Jones said. “He had this

“special” phone, which basically,

when it rang, it was either for a fire

or accident. He would drop what he

was doing and take off. So I thought

it was really cool and hearing his

stories, I became even more interested.”

Jones works other cases as well, such as armed robberies, homicides,

it’s a great resource and partnership.”

After high school, Jones worked his way up through the ranks of the etc. For the first time in eight years, the city of Perry had its first

Franklin Fire Department in Tennessee becoming assistant fire marshal.

As the assistant fire marshal there, he helped start the William-

murdered. Jones is accredited for the confession of the case, and said

homicide case in 2016, where a young man named Sam Poss was

son County Task Force that focused on arson cases. The chief that he while it has been four years since it happened; it still sticks with him

worked for then took a chief’s position in Clearwater, Florida, where to this day.

he offered Jones a logistics chief position.

“That was such a difficult case to process especially since there was

Jones was in Clearwater for three years, and in 2007, moved to Perry, no reason for it, there was no sense in it,” Jones said. “It bothered

Georgia. Former Perry Fire Chief Joel Gray knew Jones when he was me even more because my son was the same age as Sam, and all I

in Florida. Gray heard Jones was looking to go back home, but Gray could think was that could have happened to him. Seeing him (Poss)

suggested that Jones try out Perry.

after we found him, it took me a while to process that. Everybody

“When I was in Franklin, I had gotten the law enforcement “bug” thinks we (law enforcement officers) are these machines and have no

with conducting arson investigations,” Jones said. “So when I moved feelings or compassion. But that is far from the truth.”

to Perry, I met Chief (George) Potter, and he knew I was going out for When asked how does one cope with matters of the job, Jones said

the fire department, and he said, ‘You’d be a better police officer than his faith and learning to put it (the job) away.

a firefighter, boy. You’re a big ol’ boy; you’ll work perfect,’” Jones said “With what we see and deal with in this job, you can’t just forget

laughing. “And so he hired me that day. My wife, Angela, who is my things,” Jones said. “So I look at as you have these boxes in your

high school sweetheart, and I really liked Perry. It reminded us a lot of mind, and you put all the different stuff away because if you don’t it

home, and our children were just barely at the age of starting school, will tear and wear you down. And of course, the more you experience

so we decided to move to Perry, and it’s been home ever since.” different matters, the easier it is to deal with. I think it’s the biggest

Jones was first hired on to the Perry Police Department in 2007. He thing in knowing how to separate the two because you can’t take it

spent almost four years on patrol and was then promoted to detective

sergeant working in the criminal investigations division. Jones is tremely hard to have that conversation with them because they don’t

home; they don’t have a clue what you’re dealing with. And it’s ex-

currently finishing his bachelor’s degree in homeland security, and is understand.”

also a member of the Middle Georgia Safe Streets Gang Task Force. Even though the job can be tough at times, Jones said he truly enjoys

The task force is an initiative that was started by the FBI (Federal what he does.

Bureau of Investigation), through which the FBI partners with law “I do,” Jones said. “I really enjoy getting to know the people. You interact

with all different walks of life, and you’re constantly learning.”

enforcement agencies in supplying resources and equipment.

“That has been a huge asset for our department with me being on Jones’ advice to his fellow law enforcement officers is make it home

the task force,” Jones said. “It allows us (Perry Police Department) to their families at the end of each shift, but always be understanding

to work bigger cases with more resources, and gives me national as well.

jurisdiction where normally we would have to call in others to help “No matter who you’re dealing with, always be understanding and

us. Currently, I am the only narcotics detective at the department, but compassionate because you don’t know what they’re truly going

I never work alone. Most of the time I work with the Houston County through or what they have gone through,” Jones said. “Treat everyone

with respect because not everybody always deserves to go to

Sheriff’s Office because they have investigators who are also members

of the Middle Georgia Safe Streets Gang Task Force. All around jail. There are other avenues we can take to impact a person’s life in a

positive way.”


warner robins Fire

Department

ENGINEER ANDRE GRACE

By: KENDRA NORMAN HOLMES

Engineer Andre Grace joined the Warner Robins Fire Department 17

years ago in 2003, but he’s known for most of his life that serving his

community wearing the garb of a firefighter was what he wanted to

do. He was a young child when the desire hit him, and it remained

with him as he grew into adulthood.

“We used to go on field trips to the fire station when I was a kid,”

Grace said. “Just the sight of the action and the dedication that the

people had was what inspired me.” Grace said he could hear the

passion in the voices of the firemen when they spoke about how they

helped people, and that played a big part in igniting a desire in him to

want to grow up to do the same.

Warner Robins Fire Department Fire Chief Ross Moulton didn’t hesitate

to sing Grace’s praises. “He just got selected Firefighter of the

Year for Warner Robins, so that in itself speaks volumes,” Moulton

said. “He’s just an outstanding employee; a dedicated employee.

He’s just a fabulous guy,” the chief went on to say. “That’s not just my

opinion; any of the folks here will say the same. When you’re selected

as Firefighter of the Year, that’s not something that’s done by me,”

Moulton explained. “That’s done by peers, so that tells you just how

much they think of him.”

One submission by a colleague outlined several reasons why Grace

was deserving of the honor. The unnamed writer mentioned phrases

like: “He is a selfless individual on and off duty” and “Andre is a

passionate, persistent, and persuasive leader.” Another comment

was, “His overall attitude is known to be one of the best in the entire

department,” followed by, “Andre has helped me to become a better

officer and friend.” A particular noteworthy statement made was, “Attitude

is contagious, and Andre’s attitude is spreading over the entire

department.”

Grace said he just tries to be the best Andre Grace that he came be.

When it comes to his work ethics, he gave credit where he says that

credit is due. He says his drive

to do what he does on the

Warner Robins Fire Department

team is largely fueled by

a man that he sees as one of

his greatest mentors. “Scotty

Durham,” he said, calling the

name of one of the department’s

Assistant Chiefs. “Chief

Durham has definitely been a

great role model in my career.

I want to grow up to be like

him,” Grace said.

“Andre is one of the best of

the best,” Chief Durham said

of Grace. “I look beyond the

surface when I hire for this

department. It’s not about

white, black, Latino, or Asian.

None of that matters. It’s

not even about who has the

most experience,” Durham

revealed. “The duties, they

can be trained to do. But I

can’t train them how to have

good hearts and strong values

and good ethics. That’s got to

be on the inside already, and

that’s what I want my folks to have. The other stuff can be taught.

Andre had what was needed on the inside already, and who he has

become as a firefighter is a result of what was already there. I’ve

been with the fire department over 30 years, and I’ve trained a lot of

people,” Durham further stated, “and I can honestly say that he’s in

the top five of all time. And that’s counting everybody.”

According to Grace, although he enjoys what he does, being a firefighter

is a serious, and sometimes dangerous, job that comes with

its highs and lows. “Some days you want to laugh, and some days you

want to cry,” Grace stated. “Anything dealing with children—whether

they’re in danger or been hurt or even worse—that’s the saddest

part of all.” He further admitted, “The job can actually become frightening

in that moment, because children are helpless. Like with the

bus accident that happened last year—the one that killed the little

girl. When children are casualties, it’s not just sad; it’s devastating. It

just breaks your heart.”

On a much lighter note, in a memory recall that brought him laugher,

Grace said, “I remember one time being called to somebody’s house

just because they had a common headache. That’s one of the oddest

calls I can remember ever going on.” Grace admitted that calls like

that are rare, but he said they do happen. “When it comes to those

types of calls,” he said, “all you can really do once you’re there is stay

professional and try not to laugh while you ask questions like, ‘How

long have you had this headache?’” Jokingly, Grace commended, “I

guess folks like that—the ones who catch headaches at 3:00 in the

morning and decide to call us—think we carry emergency medicine

cabinets in our fire trucks or something.”

Grace says despite the unpleasant experiences that are a part of his

job, he wouldn’t change professions with anyone else. “I’m a part

of the community. I’m helping the community. I’m a servant for the

community,” he said. “Just knowing that and being able to take part

in the day-to-day excitement is what makes me love this job. This is

what I want to do until I retire,” Grace said. “One day, I’d like to retire

as a shift commander—just like Scotty Durham.”

18


WARNER ROBINS police

Department

NarcOTICs invest. KEENAN HENDERSON

By KRISTIN MORIARTY

Keenan Henderson was born

into a law enforcement family.

His grandfather, father

and mother all worked in

law enforcement, and so it

was instilled in him at a very

young age to become a part

of the profession.

Henderson was born in Baldwin

County but was raised in

Coffee County until he was

in the 10th grade. His family

then moved to Warner Robins,

and it has been home for

Henderson ever since. For a

time period, right after high

school, Henderson attended

college, but ultimately, he

began working in civil service

at Robins Air Force Base.

“I was in civil service for 10

years, but to be honest, I was unhappy,” Henderson said. “When

you’re young and getting to be on your own for the first time, it’s

about how much money you can make. But I had a calling on my

life and ignored it until I could no more. It was that one-day that

I decided I wanted to make a difference in my community, so I

began my journey to becoming a law enforcement officer. Here I

am seven years in, and enjoying it everyday.”

Henderson was hired to the Warner Robins Police Department in

2014. He started out in the patrol division and worked there for

three years. He was then promoted to the narcotics unit. Since his

promotion, Henderson has also been a part of the department’s

SWAT team for five years, and is also a task force officer for the

DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration).

“I have experienced quite a lot during my seven years, and so

much has changed since I first started,” Henderson said. “But

growing up and now being in the field, one thing that has not

changed is the impact you can have on the community. Watching

my family go that extra mile past the shifts they worked, to make

a difference, is really what stuck with me. And now, being in law

enforcement, I’ve learned the community does rely on us and we

rely on them. We’re here to protect and serve. I love this community

and everyday, I work hard to do a good job, especially for the

ones who can’t stand up for themselves.”

One call that sticks with Henderson to this day was the tragic fatal

bus accident in 2018 where six-year-old Arlana Haynes lost her

life.

“I was the second person on scene that day, and I don’t want to

describe what I saw, but it was more than what I was prepared

to see,” Henderson said. “It was a call for a lot of us here at the

Warner Robins Police Department that was really difficult to pro-

cess, and in the midst of the call that day, you know our adrenaline

was pumping, but we had to remain focused and make sure

everyone was safe. I have children myself, so that made it even

harder to process.”

When asked how does one cope with incidents such as the loss of

life, Henderson said for him, it’s spending time with his children.

“Focusing on my children and spending time with them helps a

lot,” Henderson said. “I also like to get away to the beach and just

recharge and not think about work. But also that bond between

us here at the department helps. It’s a bond that you really can’t

explain; we’re a family. One of the more fun times I’ve had here

at the department is when we had a kickball league last year.

Our team was the “One Kick Wonders.” We were actually doing

badly in the beginning,” he said laughing, “but we made it to the

championship. So family, having that bond with fellow officers,

and separating work from home, definitely helps.”

While the job can be tough most times, Henderson said he truly

enjoys his work and finds it very rewarding.

“Being that positive light and bringing justice to each person’s

case is where I get my motivation and where my passion comes

from,” Henderson said. “You never know what kind of impact

you’ll have until times when you’re off work and go to the grocery

store, and someone walks up to you and thanks you. I truly enjoy

what I do. To my fellow officers… always pay attention. Something

so small and minor can turn out to be huge. When you feel something’s

not right, pay attention because usually, your gut is right.

Work hard, but be safe and make sound decisions. Again, you

never know the impact you will have on someone’s life. I feel that

the Warner Robins Police Department is very professional, and we

have strong community relations.”


GEORGIA

BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

SPECIAL AGENT TODD CROSBY

By LAUREN HARRIS

As of April 1, Todd Crosby has

assumed the role of Special Agent

in charge over the Region 15 field

office of the Georgia Bureau of

Investigation, which involves overseeing

day to day operations.

Crosby has been with the Bureau

since 2001, and said that it has

been a long road to get where he

is now. Crosby shared that he has

had several relatives in and associated

with the law enforcement

field.

“When I decided to go into law

enforcement, it was to help people

and to help society as far as locking

up bad guys, and that’s what

I wanted to do. It’s about helping

people and getting bad guys off

the street. I’ve always been of the

mindset that it doesn’t matter who

locks them up, it doesn’t matter

who gets them off the street, as long as they get off the street. I

wanted to be a part of that. I think that’s what inspired me to get into

law enforcement.” Crosby said.

Crosby shared, he started his career in law enforcement at Georgia

College in 1991, and then began working with the Milledgeville Police

department as a patrol officer in 1993. Crosby later joined the Baldwin

County Sheriff’s Office in 1995 (until he joined the GBI), where he

said that he worked his way up the ranks to become a lieutenant over

his shift and was also promoted to a detective’s position.

Since joining the bureau, Crosby said he has been an instructor since

2003 and is also the coordinator of the GBI Crime Scene Program.

Before coming into his role as SAC, he was assistant special agent in

charge of Region 15.

Crosby shared that the most rewarding part of his career is all the

people that he has taught as an instructor, and watching where they

are going.

“The most rewarding thing that I’ve seen is the growth of people, I

like seeing that because the closer I get to retirement, the more I see

that we’re in good hands, and that it’s going to be in good shape,”

Crosby explained.

Crosby said that you always have to find humor in the job, recalling

an incident in which an agency requested his assistance in processing

a crime scene. Crosby informed that on his way to the scene, he

received a phone call from the requesting agency telling him, “Never

mind, he got up and walked away.” Crosby said he thought, “He got

up and walked away?” The scene, according to Crosby, had been one

wherein an individual had gotten intoxicated and rolled off into a

ravine, and had been mistaken for a dead body. Crosby said that the

requesting agency had taped off the scene and was walking the perimeter

to ensure no one entered, at which time the man sat up and

said, “What are you doing?”

Crosby shared another story in which he was called to an area by an

old house to process a scene where skeletal remains had been found.

Crosby explained that upon arriving on the scene, he felt something

was not right, and when the remains were poked, they sunk in and

bounced back out. Crosby divulged that it had been revealed that

a few years prior the house the skeleton had been found near, had

been a haunted house, and the skeleton was made of rubber.

The worst thing that Crosby said he experienced was the death of

one of his best friends in the line of duty. Deputy Will Robinson, with

the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, died in December of 1995.

“That was the worst thing I think I’ve ever had to experience in my

law enforcement career,” Crosby said, further explaining that between

this and his own officer-involved shooting while he was at the

Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, he was inspired to become a crime

scene specialist.

Crosby informed that he had been a crime scene specialist for 15 1/2

years before becoming the head of the program.

“Just seeing how the GBI handled business, how they handled crime

scenes, the crime scene specialists—their knowledge and expertise—I

said that’s what I want to do,” Crosby said.

When it comes to going home and “turning off” what he experiences

in his career, Crosby said that everybody is different. In telling what

he referred to as “Todd’s way” of doing it, Crosby said, “I struggled

with that early on in my career, when I was younger, but the older

I’ve gotten, I’ve realized that there is more to Todd Crosby than being

the police.”

When he pulls up in his driveway, Crosby shared, and goes into his

bedroom and removes his badge and gun, he isn’t a GBI agent anymore.

“I’m Daddy, I’m husband, the honey-do list-doer. Once I take this

[badge] off, that [GBI] identity’s gone.” Crosby expanded, and explained

that even when it came to parenting his kids, he never did

it in uniform, because he didn’t want them to see a GBI agent, he

wanted them to see Daddy.

“This is not my only identity… What you have to realize is you have

more identity than just the police,” Crosby said.

20


GEORGIA

STATE PATROL

TFC MICHAEL STRICKLAND

By LAUREN HARRIS

“For me, I always wanted to be a trooper,” said Trooper First Class

Michael Strickland, with the Georgia State Patrol. He was born and

raised in Thomaston, Georgia, and is a graduate of Upson Lee High

School. Strickland shared that growing up, his stepfather had been

a lieutenant with the Thomaston Police Department, and he was

around law enforcement, and troopers, from a young age.

“It was just something about when I saw the troopers; the big hat,

the blue and gray car—I knew it was what I wanted to do,” Strickland

recalled. He further revealed that his destiny was to either become

a trooper or a history teacher, the latter of which, he pursued at the

University of Alabama, for a time.

“Some changes came along with college,” Strickland said, “and the

opportunity came for me to go to Trooper School.”

Strickland explained that after coming back home from school, he

worked a few years as a door-to-door salesman, and in July of 2013,

he began the application process to become a trooper, entering

schooling for the profession a year later. After schooling, Strickland

said, he was assigned to Post 15 in Perry.

“All I knew about Perry was the Georgia National Fair. They sent

me here, and I’m glad they did. I learned a lot, and I made a good

reputation for myself within the community and within local law

enforcement. I built relationships with a lot of those guys and know

them closely,” Strickland informed, noting that July will be his sixth

anniversary with the department.

Strickland said he was on patrol for the first five years of his career,

and as of January, has been promoted to the position of Recruiter for

Troop H, one of the nine troops within the Georgia State Patrol. As a

recruiter, Strickland shared that he goes to college and career fairs,

and makes television and radio appearances to recruit individuals

that want to get into the field.

Strickland divulged that his goal is to be the Colonel of the Georgia

State Patrol.

“I believe in being the best, and if I’m going to make a career out of

it, I want to go as far as I can go,” he explained. On the way to that

goal, Strickland mentioned that he

would like to become an instructor

in the training division.

“I believe in teaching. You have to

build them from the ground up,

and teach them the right way,” he

said.

In his profession, the thing Strickland

enjoys most is the people.

“When I was on the road everyday,

no day was ever the same. You

never know who you’ll run into.

You never know who you could

meet; you could make someone’s

day,” Strickland shared, further

noting that he has been involved

with interesting details, naming

current Secretary of Agriculture

Sonny Perdue, and ESPN during

the Superbowl. Strickland said

that he would like to have worked

on the detail for President Donald

Trump during his visit to Robins Air

Force Base, but he had been off

duty that day.

“It’s a fun job. It can be dangerous

at times, but there’s a lot of

freedom. I will never wake up not wanting to come to work, because

it doesn’t feel like work,” Strickland expressed.

Strickland said he has had to do some hard things, one of which, he

shared, that sticks out to him, was when he had to notify a father

of the death of his son. Strickland relayed that the son was off at

college out west, and doing an internship for that state’s department

of transportation. The son, Strickland said, was struck while standing

outside of a truck, and it was Strickland’s task to inform the boy’s

father of his passing.

“It was about 3 a.m. when I had to do it, and that one hits me hard

to this day, because when I told him, I saw his complexion, so I stayed

over there with him for a while,” Strickland shared.

But there are also good times. Strickland recalled a child whose parents’

car had broken down.

“He was obsessed with troopers and policemen, so I let him sit in the

car,” Strickland explained, noting that he still had the pictures. That

incident, he said, went viral.

Spending time with friends and working out is how Strickland copes

with his profession.

“Three months after I got here, I joined the gym. That’s what gives

me my time and release. It’s my meditation time to not think about

work,” said Strickland.

Strickland shared that he has many friends who are also in law

enforcement or in some area of public service, but when they are

together, they don’t like to talk about work.

For people that seek to come into the profession of a Georgia State

Trooper, Strickland advised that understanding the size of the role of

a trooper is essential.

“Everybody thinks it’s glitz and glamour, but it’s a very important

role… You have the ability to take someone’s life away, so it’s not just

a job, it’s a lifestyle, and you have to be in it for the right reasons; you

have to really be made for this job,” Strickland explained, adding that

there has to be a passion to do the job.

For those already in the field, Strickland encouraged them to continue

to be great, and know the job the best that they can.

“Be a role model to the people in your community, because people

look up to you whether you think it or not. Just hold yourself to a

higher standard; that’s what I try to do and that’s what I teach everybody,”

Strickland stressed.


We Salute Our Everyday Heroes in Houston County

Jeffrey Easom, DO; Jonathan Harris, MD; William Wiley, MD

Scott Malone, MD; Derrick Phillips, MD; David Wiley, MD; Daxes Banit, MD

22


A Special

Thanks of

Gratitude and

Appreciation

Shaw Blackmon

State Representative

House District 146

The Houston Home Journal

appreciates your dedication

in protecting and serving

Houston County.

We thank you for

your service.


WE’VE BEEN SERVING FIRST RESPONDERS

FOR OVER 50 YEARS

Faye Donald

Accounting Manager

Lisa Richardson

Teller

COMBINED

EMPLOYEE

CREDIT

UNION

Ashley Chapman

Member Services

Robby Glore

CEO

Jennifer Franklin

Member Services

Gladys Barfield

Teller

Hannah Bonney

Teller

TOGETHER WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE

24

Everyday Heroes 2020

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