The Live Oak Police Department held its annual awards banquet at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park Dec. 12.

The event was attended by the members of the police department and city officials, including Mayor Sonny Nobles, City Administrator Bob Farley and City Councilmen Mark Stewart, Bennie Thomas and Ken Duce.

Officer Derek Slaughter, who is a member of the U.S. Army Military Police Unit 2145, was scheduled to leave for another tour in Iraq on Dec. 15. Chief Buddy Williams read and presented Slaughter with a proclamation from the city of Live Oak recognizing Slaughter for his service to America and the city.

Ralph Hawkins, of Live Oak, received the Citizen Volunteer Appreciation Award for helping in putting together the Halloween agenda at the police department and for his assistance in building the police department float for the Christmas parade. The police department was awarded third place for the float by the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce.

Williams also presented the members of Citizen Police Academy Class 8 with their certificates of completion.

The event was catered by Raleigh Brown and staff of the Brown Lantern Restaurant in Live Oak.



Awards presented:

. Officer of the 1st Qtr. – Sgt Ron Shaw

. Officer of the 2nd Qtr. – Captain Joe Daly

. Officer of the 3rd Qtr. – Det. Justin Bates

. Officer of the 4th Qtr. – Sgt Alfredo Moreno

. 2007 Officer of the Year – Det. Sgt. Ron Shaw

. 2007 Rookie of the Year – Off. Thomas Faller

Marksmanship awards:

. 1st Place – Chief Buddy Williams

. 2nd Place – Sgt Jason Rountree

. 3rd Place – Off. Frank Gorski

Other awards:

. Chief’s Award – Officer Kyle Kirby

. 5-year Service Award – Off. Derek Slaughter

. 10-year Service Award – Lt. Keith Davis

. K9 Excellence – Off. Casey Kinsey

. Volunteer Appreciation Award – Ralph Hawkins