Forsyth's Finest Recognized for Professionalism and Commitment

Three deputies with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office were recently honored for their professionalism and commitment as law enforcement officers.

During the ceremony, Deputy First Class Brian Chatham was awarded Deputy of the Quarter for a unique traffic stop he did earlier this year.

On January 17, DFC Chatham conducted a traffic stop that led to the arrest of an identify thief, according to Sgt. Richard Thompson.

"This person had the identifies of 176 victims in his possession. The idea that one traffic stop could personally affect the lives 176 victims is hard to wrap your mind around," Thompson stated in a memo to Capt. R. Freeman.

"An investigation of this nature takes a skill level not possessed by many deputies. The roadside investigation took over four hours and DFC Chatham was absolutely relentless in his determination to not leave until it was completed."

Also, Deputy First Class Michael Nelson and Michael Reutter were recognized and received Medals of Merit for going above the call of duty during an incident on April 18.

In a memo to both deputies, Capt. Mark Hoffman wrote that both Nelson and Reutter took immediate action and responded to a house fire. The two grabbed their fire extinguishers and went into the smoke filled home to put out the fire.

"You were successful and likely saved the homeowner thousands of dollars in loss. Fire Department command commented that you both did a great job in not letting the fire spread within the home. It is with great pride that we award you the Medal of Merit for your actions," Hoffman wrote.

The three received their plague, medals and certificates (respectively) in front of their peers, supervisors and family members at the sheriff's office in early June.

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