(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------Last week, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office E-911 Communications Center was names the SC APCO (Association of Public-Safety Communications) 911 Center of the Year.
Also, Dispatcher Neill Burkett, who has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 23 years, was presented the Palmetto Award and Sheriff’s Office Employee Chris Belcher received an honorable mention for 911 Contributor of the Year.
An independent committee selected the award winners and all awards were one submission per agency per category, according to the nomination form.
The E-911/Communication Centers was recognized based on the work and efforts of dispatchers in relation to the officer involved shooting that wounded Corporal Lucas Watts on November 16th, 2023. According to the award nomination form, as prepared by Chief Dispatcher Lisa Willis:
“Everyone showed up, that is why I cannot nominate just one shift for this award; it was not just one voice, just one radio. It was a culmination of 26 employees in a 911 center, the heroic actions of officers and medics on scene and with the absolute Grace of Our God Cpl. Lucas Watts is alive today.”
In the nomination form for Sheriff’s Office employee Belcher, a 5 year employee of the Sheriff’s Office, Chief Dispatcher Willis complemented Belcher on his work and sacrifice in making sure that the day to day operations of the 911 center run smoothly, including providing help during the early morning hours as well as when he is on vacation, but also making sure that officers equipment and technology is working properly.
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