RED BAY – During Red Bay’s City Council meeting on Monday night, Police Chief Janna Jackson gave out departmental awards for the past year. These awards were merit as well as service based.

“Everyone in our department has done an outstanding job this year,” Jackson said. “I think we have the best officers and dispatchers available who really try to make Red Bay a better place.

“Every one of these people are here for the right reason. This isn’t just a job to them. They truly care for the people of this community.”

The Officer of the Year award was presented to Sgt. Rodney Belue for his dedicated service to the people of Red Bay. Belue was additionally presented with the Traffic Stop of the Year award for a traffic stop that led to the confiscation of one pound of methamphetamine, which would have carried a $12,000 street value.

The Dispatcher of the Year award went to Rita Page, who Jackson described as a dedicated employee and dispatcher for the past seven years.

A Certificate of Bravery was awarded to Officer Kyle Palmer for his participation in a house fire in December. Jackson said Palmer entered the burning residence in order to rescue the people who were inside.

Jackson presented the new Good Citizenship award to civilian Zachary Hubbard. Jackson said the department was appreciative of Hubbard’s assistance in locating a small child who had been reported missing in the area.

Jackson gave Years of Service certificates to the following people:

Capt. Eddie Chandler, 12 years with RBPD; Lt. Scottie Belue, 11 years with RBPD; Sgt. Rodney Belue, 10 years in law enforcement with three and a half years spent at RBPD; Officer Kyle Palmer, three years with RBPD; Inv. Mike Franklin, 14 years in law enforcement with one year spent at RBPD; dispatcher Rita Page, seven years with RBPD; dispatcher Martha Bonds, seven years with RBPD; and dispatcher Mike Gresham, seven years with RBPD.

Jackson also awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to the following people:

Officer Jeremy Edgmon, Officer Bradley Long, dispatcher Lynn Goss and dispatcher Cindy Emerson.

“I am very proud of these people and I want to congratulate them on a job well-done,” Red Bay Mayor Bobby Forsythe said following the awards presentation. “We appreciate what they do for our community.”