SCSO Announces 2022 Deputy and Jailer of the Year Awards

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office has announced its 2022 Deputy and Jailer of the Year Awards.

The two awardees were selected based on a secret ballot by their peers.

According to Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, Deputy Dondi Nelson was awarded the 2022 Deputy of Year Award.

Nelson began his career with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office in 2019 as a Jailer. While working in the jail, Nelson became respected by both the jail staff and the jail inmates. Shirley says Nelson is currently the only member of the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office to receive both Deputy of the Year (in 2022) and Jailer of the Year in 2020.

Nelson attended Peace Officer Basic Mandate at the Georgia Piedmont Technical College in 2021. After graduation he became part of the Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division.

Shirley says Nelson has taken it upon himself to reach out to members of the community—especially the elderly, to help them cut their grass, get items from the store, and spending time with them.

Shirley adds that due to Nelson’s extensive interactions with the community, several members of the Sheriff’s Office have given him the nickname “The Mayor.”

Sergeant Davey Patterson was awarded the 2022 Jailer of the Year Award.

Shirley says Patterson began his career with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office in 2021 as a jailer. While in this position, Patterson’s leadership, hard work, and dedication has been noticed.

He was promoted the following year to the rank of Sergeant. He is always willing to go above and beyond when it comes to working in the jail. Shirley says Patterson often volunteers to work long hours, fills other positions as needed, and always has a smile on his face.

Patterson was previously a member of the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Program for three years while he was in high school.

The Explorer Program gives youth who aspire to have a career in law enforcement an opportunity to learn and build upon basic skills and knowledge. While in the program, Patterson climbed the ranks as an Explorer 1^st Class to the rank of Chaplain.

Shirley says he is thankful for Deputy Nelson’s and Sgt. Patterson’s dedication and service to the members of the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, the Stephens County Jail, and the residents of Stephens County.