THOMASVILLE — Lisa Maxwell blushed and almost fell from a piece of furniture when she was named the Thomasville Police Department 2006 Outstanding Employee of the Year.

While background about the recipient was being read at the Monday annual TPD awards ceremony, Officer Lisa Maxwell thought the information sounded familiar.

“I turned about 10 shades of red,” she said Thursday. “I almost fell out of my chair.”

Describing her selection as an honor, Maxwell said past winners have been department leaders and role models.

“I have a lot to live up to,” said Maxwell, a crime scene investigator.

Maxwell has been with TPD since May 1999, and a crime scene investigator for one year. She is assistant commander of the Thomasville-Thomas County Dive Team.

The employee of the year is chosen by a committee made up of a member of the TPD advisory board, two Thomasville City Council members, two citizens selected by the chief of police, a representative from the district attorney’s office and a Municipal Court judge.

Maxwell goes above and beyond when it comes to responding to department needs, said Sgt. Ricky Singletary, TPD public information officer.

The officer not only does the job that is expected, but when she is caught up and waiting for the next call, she helps others with their jobs and responsibilities, according to information provided by TPD.

Other awards and TPD officer recipients are:

• Gallantry Star — Terry Whigham, Daniel Powers, Keith Drawdy, Kirby Howell, Henry Williams, Alvin Hughes, Gary Roy, Sgt. Bobby Stephens, Sgt. Steve Belvin and Detective Toby Knifer.

• Life-Saving — Waylon Parker, Agent Pete Ransdell.

• Honorable Service — Sgt. Shane Harris.

• Good Samaritan — Ted McCarthy.

• Drug Buster — Chris Brock.

• Academy Honor Graduate — Ian Thomas, Jackson Keel.

• Military Recognition — Jason Baldwin.

• F.T.O. — Mark Hickman, Maurice Holmes, Jim Coker.

• Dive Team — Daniel Powers.

• Educational Achievement — Alvin Hughes, Waylon Parker.

• Firearms Instructor — Henry Williams.

• 2006 Employees of the Month — Maurice Holmes, Ted McCarthy, Alvin Hughes, Anthony Showell, Dominic Ford, Joey Rollins, Penny Hembree, Detective Scott Newberry, Agent Pete Ransdell and Lisa Maxwell.



Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 220.