SAVANNAH, GA ( May 18, 2011) The Southside Optimist Club recognized five law enforcement officers from three departments Wednesday in its annual Officer of the Year program.
Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Sgt. Torrance A. Garvin Sr. and Det. Josh Hunt were recognized as SCMPD Supervisor of the Year and Officer of the year. Chatham County Sheriff’s Office top supervisor and officer were Cpl. Johnny Webb and Dep. Madeline Pickney. Agent Don Wood was named Chatham County Counter Narcotics Team Officer of the Year.
Optimist Club President Ralph Bailey said the club has been recognizing top officers since 1992 to help demonstrate the appreciation this community has for its law enforcement officers.
Garvin has been a Savannah officer for almost 20 years, is married and has two sons. A Savannah native, he has been a sergeant for eight years and is an investigator in the Downtown Precinct. He is a member of St. Benedict The Moor Catholic Church and has a certification in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University. He is working on his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from St. Leo University.
Hunt, 33, was born in Massachusetts and obtained his degree in criminal justice from Armstrong Atlantic State University. He joined SCMPD in 2004 and has been a homicide detective almost five years. He has solved every homicide assigned to him as well as three cold cases during that time.
Wood has served on the tactical teams of CNT and currently is assigned to the Intelligence Unit. He is recognized for his efforts in training newer agents and for building and improving communications with area, state and federal agencies.
Webb is the supervisor of the property room of the Receiving & Discharge Department of the Sheriff’s Office. He has worked in law enforcement for 15 years and joined CCSO after working three years at Ridgeland Correctional Institution.
Pinckney serves in the Sheriff’s Office Enforcement Division-Court Services. She has a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree from Georgia Southern University and has completed graduate studies at Savannah State University. She began her career with the Savannah Police Department in 1986 and received Certificate of Merit awards in 1989, 1990 and 1992. She was attached to the Department of Justice as a task force officer in organized crime and received the Meritorious Service award in 1991 and 1992. She also served as a captain in the Memorial Health police department 2005-2007.
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