AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Amarillo South Rotary held their annual Deputy of the Year Awards, honoring men who put service above self in 2010. Sgt. Charles Jones, with Randall County is an investigator who has helped victims in the county for 27 years. For Potter County, 2 deputies where honored, Steve White and K.C. Simpson. Both men were recognized for their actions taken after a crime spree that started in Amarillo then spread to the Bushland area. Gary Don Carner tired to abduct several girls, shot and killed a grandmother who was protecting her grand-daughter. It was the actions of those 2 deputies that finally brought the spree to an end.
"It's good that people feel we did the right thing. With the experience, I've been on patrol now for 2 and half years. I don't know if I know the right thing to do every time, but just try to listen to God and let him lead me where I need to go and am just glad that everything turned out good," said Deputy K.C. Simpson, Potter Co.
All 3 men say they're humbled and honored by the award.
"Am humbled and am honored we have just a whole bunch of people that would be deserving of this and it's just quite an honor to be selected for it," said Sgt. Charles Jones, Randall Co.
"I want to serve the county, I want to serve our office and the Sheriff and I think the best way I can do that is by serving the victims of crime. That's my focus, can I make things better for the people that have been victimized," added Sgt. Jones.
"It's nice to be appreciated, um, you know whether I feel like I deserve it or not, you know, that's another story but it is very nice to be appreciated," said Deputy Simpson.
This is the 6th year for the Amarillo South Rotary to give the awards. They're hoping it draws attention to the outstanding service these law enforcement officers provide to the citizens of Potter and Randall Counties.
