Published: December 31, 2008 09:32 am      

APD picks top employees of year

The Athens Police Department recently selected its annual Bennie R. Everett Award honorees.

The awards go to the department’s top peace office, civilian employee and reserve officer. The award is named after former APD Lt. Bennie R. Everett, who was killed in the line of duty in 1977.

Recipients are chosen by members of the department.

Detective Adam Parkins was named as the Officer of the Year. Parkins has been with the department one year, nine months and has worked in the Criminal Investigation Division since June. He previously served as a deputy sheriff for the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department.

“Detective Parks does a great job and has received several positive comments from the public he serves,” APD Chief Buddy Hill said.

Dispatcher Shannon White was named Civilian Employee of the Year. She has been a telecommunicator operator with the department for almost a year and has prior experience in that field with the cities of Tool and Seven Points, as well as with the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Department.

“She is a hard worker who gives every assignment her best effort,” Hill said.

Robert McAtee returned to familiar territory, as he was named Reserve Office of the Year. He has previously won the award.

McAtee has been a reserve officer with the department 19 years and eight months. He currently serves as a reserve sergeant and is instrumental in coordinating the activities of the reserve police force.

“Sergeant McAtee is a tremendous help to our department,” Hill said. “Last year alone, he put in over 490 hours of volunteer time.”