Latest news with #AmericanJailAssociation
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Booking deputy earns national Valor award for removing handgun from new inmate
Booking Deputy John Elliott recently received the Valor Award from the American Jail Association for removing a loaded handgun from an inmate being booked at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center in 2023. American Jail Association President Shawn Klucznik presented the award to Elliott Tuesday during the annual AJA Conference and Jail Expo in Fort Worth, Texas. AJA gives this coveted award to an individual who demonstrated unusual judgment, zeal, bravery, and/or ingenuity that averted or minimized a potential disaster. While initiating the booking process on the inmate, Elliot noticed a handgun in the inmate's clothing. Without regard for his personal safety, he gained control of the firearm without any injuries. The handgun was loaded with 11 rounds. 'He had a gun and could have shot anybody,' Elliott said. 'I didn't want that to happen. Anybody else in booking would have done the same thing.' Tennessee Corrections Institute Board Chairman Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh commended Elliott. 'We are extremely proud of Deputy Elliott for his quick action to avoid a potential disaster in our facility,' Fitzhugh said. 'He is very deserving of this recognition.' Jail Administrator Kevin Henderson said the detention staff appreciates having a deputy on the team like Elliott. 'To see something wrong, respond and put your own safety at risk showed tremendous courage and the will to do a great job,' Henderson said. 'Who knows how many lives he saved due to his actions with total disregard for his own life? His actions were heroic.' Besides locating the handgun, Elliott also recovered a knife from an inmate in October 2023. The arrestee was belligerent and noncompliant with officers. AJA reported Elliott's persistence and dedication to safety and security while serving as a Booking Officer has been a point of inspiration for other staff members and exemplifies the innate bravery required of corrections officers every day across the nation. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Booking deputy earns Valor award for removing handgun from inmate
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
MCSO detentions deputy receives national designation
MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) – In his short time with Mesa County Sheriff's Office, Detentions Deputy Daniel Kell has held various roles. Since joining in August 2020, he was selected to the MCSO honor guard, special operations response team and recruitment team. He is also a field training officer and cell extraction instructor. Now, Kell received the national designation of a certified officer through the American Jail Association's Jail Manager Certification Commission. He's the first MCSO detentions deputy to obtain the designation. 'I am proud of Deputy Kell for his dedication in completing the process to become a Certified Jail Officer,' Mesa County Sheriff Todd Rowell said in a news release. 'We emphasize the importance of continuing education for all employees within the Mesa County Sheriff's Office and this is a wonderful example of that.' This was given to Kell after he completed a rigid background application that included his experience as a detentions deputy and an examination made by the American Jail Association and the Jaily Manager Certification Commission. The certification shows competency and professionalism in the field and a strong level of knowledge in the specialty. 'Deputy Kell is a leader amongst his peers and is a great example of applying his professional development towards a nationally recognized certification,' MCSO Lt. Lisa Peck said. 'We look forward to many more Detentions Deputies following in Deputy Kell's footsteps by becoming Certified Jail Officers through the American Jail Association.' Peck also serves as the second vice president of the American Jail Association Board of Directors. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
