VALDOSTA — The Rotary Club of Valdosta hosted the annual Law Enforcement Appreciation event Wednesday, honoring local officers and first responders for their dedication and bravery.

Leaders from across the community, including local officials, business sponsors, and residents, came together at the Rainwater Conference Center to recognize the invaluable contributions of law enforcement personnel. Elected officials, including Mayor Scott James Matheson, County Commission Chairman Bill Slaughter, and representatives from the Valdosta Police Department, Georgia State Patrol, and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, attended the event.

The highlight of the evening was the Officer of the Year Awards, presented to individuals who demonstrated exceptional service and heroism in their roles. The honorees were Trooper First Class Stephen Pritchett from the Georgia State Patrol, Patrol Officer Dilan Boutwell of the Valdosta Police Department, and Investigator William Neel with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.

The event recognized Trooper First Class Stephen Pritchett for his dedication to public safety. Sergeant First Class Myles Cooper, who spoke in Pritchett’s absence while he attended training, praised his commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. Pritchett has pursued numerous certifications to enhance his expertise, particularly in public safety diving. 

Patrol Officer Dilan Boutwell was honored for his work on the Tactical Robot Team and his current role on the Tactical Operations Unit. His training also includes S.W.A.T. school, where he developed training for high-risk situations. Despite the challenges of the job, Boutwell still acknowledges that helping those in their time of need is the most rewarding part of it.

Valdosta Police Department Chief Leslie Manahan took the stage to praise Boutwell, highlighting three instances in the past year where Officer Boutwell saved a life.

Investigator William Neel, a 16-year law enforcement veteran, was selected for his work in many Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office roles. Neel has worked in Lowndes County since 2014, focusing on traffic enforcement, specialized response teams, and his passion for narcotics investigations.

The final award of the event went to Sabrina Maine, a senior in the Criminal Justice Program at Valdosta State University. The Judge H. Arthur “Mac” McLane Scholarship recognizes a criminal justice major at VSU who demonstrates a commitment to academic excellence. The selection committee awarded the scholarship to Maine for her high GPA and minor in Spanish and forensic accounting. She has also completed internships with the Public Defender’s Office and the Georgia Department of Community Supervision and participated in a study abroad program in Spain.