JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
Several officers of the Marion County Sheriff’s Department were recently presented awards dedicated to their work of serving the law within the community across different categories.
Since 2024, the county’s sheriff’s office hosts a new, end of the year gathering in celebration of the deputies who’ve dedicated themselves through hard work and commitment within their given roles. Beata Slatton, Administrative Assistant for the department, explained the yearly event was established to showcase appreciation to those who work within the department, especially for those who went above and beyond in their efforts to serving the community throughout the year.
“We’re just like a big family you know,” said Slatton.
Several members of the department were presented with awards for this year’s gathering, which took place at Western Sizzlin in Jasper. Five awards total were presented, consisting of Deputy of the Year, School Resource Deputy of the Year, Detective/Supervisor of the Year, Dispatcher of the Year, and Corrections Officer of the Year.
Brittany Crawley was awarded 2025’s Dispatcher of the Year, Lt. Jonathan Wingo for Corrections Officer, Lt. Detective Beth Raulston for Detective/Supervisor, SRD PJ Dickerson for School Resource Deputy, and Cody Pickett was nominated as Deputy of the Year for 2025.
Slatton explained voting took place prior to the event, with other staff members invited to vote for who they felt placed the most dedication into serving the community throughout the year.
“We put everybody on a piece of paper and gave it to everyone within the sheriff’s office,” said Slatton. “We all voted and then turned our papers in.”
The sheriff’s department took to Facebook to present this year’s winners, congratulating each nominee for their hard work and services towards both the department and the community as a whole, closing off 2025 in celebration of those serving the law within Marion County.
Photo by Marion County Sheriff’s Department