TALLADEGA — The Police Department and Talladega Kiwanis Club, along with other invited guests, honored the department’s Employee and Officer of the Year with a banquet and awards ceremony at Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center Thursday night.

The Employee of the Year award went to Angela Lackey, administrative assistant to Police Chief Alan Watson. In presenting the award, Watson praised her work ethic, willingness to help others, her compassion and day-to-day positive attitude where the public is concerned. She was awarded a check for $300 and a plaque.

The other nominees for Employee of the Year were Jackie Cofield, dispatcher Paula Campbell and parking attendant Amber Randall.

The winner of Officer of the Year was Ron McElrath, who Watson said “always had a smile, communicated well with the public and worked with young employees.”

The other nominees in this category included Lt. Jason Busby, Alan Wheeles, Detective Jimmy “Peanut” Thompson and Daniel Phipps.

Talladega County District Attorney Steve Giddens, the evening’s keynote speaker, touched on something else that made McElrath a strong candidate for Officer of the Year.

“It’s a thankless job you do, and a lot is said to you and about you. But it’s a calling, and that should be clear from two instances. The first was when an officer in Chelsea pulled over a speeder and the driver of the car shot and killed him. The second was right here in Talladega, when Ron McElrath and Jonathan Ledbetter saw someone run a stop sign. What they didn’t know is the guy had just robbed a store in Childersburg, and he shot at them. … That really hit home with me. Every call that’s answered, every car stopped, could end that way. I wondered why, but I believe you do it because you love serving your community and your fellow man.

“You don’t do this for the money,” Giddens said. “But I want you to know there are a lot of people who appreciate what you do. You may not get to hear it much, but it’s a simple prospect. When someone calls the police or calls 911, they expect you to come. You may get shot at, spat on, cursed, but you answer that call, and that says a lot. … That badge says you represent all of us. The citizens stand behind you and owe you a debt of gratitude. You are willing to put your life on the line to protect citizens you may not know or ever even see. You are owed a debt that can never be repaid. I am extremely honored to be here.”

The Employee of the Year is selected by a committee of department personnel, and the same committee selects the finalists for Officer of the Year. The committee this year consisted of Lisa Garrett (currently serving with the National Guard in Afghanistan), Steve Mitchell, Amanda Crow, Marco Williams, Darrell Garrett, Ron Dye, Mary Surrett, Mark King and Bob Curtis.

The finalists for Officer of the Year were submitted, without names, to an outside committee made up of Kristi King, Doug Campbell, Travis McGrady, Ken Allen Jr., Tim Hackney and Ken Bradford.

At the end of the program, Watson ran through a list of the department’s achievements during the past year, including the transition to Central Dispatch, four grants totaling $300,000, 90 percent accreditation on policies and procedures and having the top Click It or Ticket program in the state. More recently, the department has moved into the newly renovated lower story of City Hall, for which Watson thanked the members of the City Council, especially President Horace Patterson.

The banquet was sponsored by Hindman’s Wrecker Service, Twin Creek Towing, Steve Camp Agency, North Star EMS, Rex Griffin, Toni’s Food Mart, Coosa Valley Electric, Waites Construction, International Enterprise, Sims Funeral Home, America’s First Credit Union, Rick’s Electric, Usrey Funeral Home, Allen Oil Co., Big Wade’s, Griffin’s Jewelers, Terry’s Mortuary, First National Bank, Judicial Corrections Services, Matahaula’s Mexican Restaurant and Talladega Machine and Supply.