The Rescue of Miss Sue

On Monday, December 5, 2011, Ms. Gail B. called the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office from California to ask for
help concerning her 87-year-old mother, Mrs. Sue W. of South Fulton County. Ms. B. told Deputy E. Jones that
she had not been able to reach her mother in two days and the daughter was extremely worried becoming emotional
on the telephone. Deputy Jones comforted the daughter and assured her that he would send someone to the
mother’s house to check on her.

Deputy J. Underwood of the Law Enforcement Division is assigned to the area which includes the home.
Deputy Underwood was ordered to perform a signal 89, welfare check for Mrs. White to see whether she
was okay. When Deputy Underwood knocked on the front door, she did not receive a response. It occurred
to the deputy to walk around back to investigate further. Deputy Underwood found a sliding door,
knocked, and called out, “Miss Sue, Miss Sue?” That’s when the deputy heard a voice from inside the
home say, “Yes.” Miss Sue began to explain that she had been injured and on the floor for two days.
She had been unable to call anyone for help. Deputy Underwood used her radio to call for Emergency
Medical Services personnel on Miss Sue’s behalf.

As Miss Sue began to cry, Deputy Underwood remained calm and advised dispatchers that if Miss Sue
could not open the door, then Fire Rescue personnel would have to gain entry into the home. Deputy
Underwood told Miss Sue that she needed her help to get the door opened. The deputy turned into a coach
and instructed Miss Sue to gently slide across the floor to open the sliding door. Miss Sue was nervous,
scared, and tired from the ordeal. Putting her own emotions and worries aside, Deputy Underwood kept a
cool head and insisted to Miss Sue that she could do this. So Miss Sue tried to move and the deputy
encouraged her. Deputy Underwood began to lower herself to show the 87-year-old how to move a little
bit at a time to inch her way to the lock. While in pain, Miss Sue was able to focus on Deputy Underwood’s
voice and accomplish the goal of opening the door. When the two were no longer separated by the door,
Deputy Underwood gave a tearful Miss Sue a hug. The deputy found a blanket to cover the lady. 

At one point, Deputy Underwood needed to step away to use the telephone and Miss Sue begged her not to go
but the deputy assured her that she would be right back. Deputy Underwood called the daughter in California
to let her know that her mother was okay and that an ambulance was on the way. The deputy also needed to know
to which hospital she would prefer her mother be taken. While they waited for EMS, Deputy Underwood offer help
the lady prepare for transport to the hospital. Miss Sue asked the deputy to please get her robe. As Emergency
Medical Technicians began checking Miss Sue’s vital signs and readying her for the trip to the hospital, the
patient looked around and said, “Where is the deputy?” Deputy Underwood assured her that she was still by her
side. A neighbor rode with Miss Sue to a local hospital. 

One of Miss Sue’s legs was swollen and very sore. It seems that she had been decorating when the accident
occurred. Her daughter later told a reporter that her mother suffered a double fracture in her hip. Fulton
County Sheriff Ted Jackson commends Deputy Jacqueline Underwood for utilizing intelligence under pressure,
displaying finesse, and showing compassion for Miss Sue. Deputies like Jacqueline Underwood are shining
stars in the agency and the law enforcement profession.

Sergeant Honored by Rotary Club

Congratulations to Deputy Sergeant Dexter Henry on his award from the Rotary Club. 

The Rotarians presented the award for Distinguished Service to Sergeant Henry at
an awards banquet this week.  The 22-year-veteran is the commander of the Sex
Offender Unit which is part of the Law Enforcement Division. The Unit is charged
with one of the most sensitive and critical missions within the agency: registering
and tracking sex offenders as prescribed by Georgia law. Fulton County has more than
1400 registered sex offenders which is the largest concentration in the state.
Ten of those offenders being classified as predators. 
 
Sergeant Henry manages the unit that works around the clock to monitor convicted sex
offenders.  Throughout the year, the Sergeant coordinates special operations to perform
large-scale compliance checks with other local, state, and federal agencies. He has earned
the respect of law enforcement professional throughout the region and beyond. Lieutenant Avis
Ryan nominated Sergeant Henry for the award. Here is what she wrote for the selection committee:
 
Sgt. Henry is assigned to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Division, Sex Offender
Unit. He serves as the supervisor of that section. His responsibilities require him to interact with
the public, other agency personnel, attorneys and various other entities, both in person and through
written communications. As the Majority of duties reflect legal issues, he must ensure that his
responses are correct. As result extensive research must be conducted. These responsibilities are
extensive.
 
Sgt. Henry handles the job in a professional and courteous manner. He is very meticulous in his work.
When contacted by clients with problems, he conducts thorough research to provide the best solutions
to their situations, even going to court if necessary with both their need as well as department needs
A member of the agency’s Hostage Negotiation Unit, Sgt. Henry has to respond to activation of that
specialized team. As well as doing other special details in assuring that sex offenders are in compliance
with the law. He conscientiously takes time to check on the affairs and staff of his section.
 
The initiative he has shown is beyond what is expected. His dedication to the completion of an assignment,
and commitment to the Fulton County is exhibited in his actions. The same commitments and loyalty are
displayed in his actions with subordinates and co-workers. Sgt. Henry's demeanor and personality are
considered exemplary. Therefore I take pride in nominating him for Service Above Self.  
 
Please join us in congratulating Sergeant Henry.

2011 Breast Cancer Walk

NEWS RELEASE NR11-021

43 PARTICIPATE IN BREAST CANCER WALK

(November 8, 2011 - Atlanta, Georgia)
On a Blustery Saturday morning, 43 members of the
Fulton County Sheriff's Office and friends participated in the American Cancer Society
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.  The avid walkers celebrated co-workers and
the countless others who are breast cancer survivors, those still in the fight, and to
honor those lost.  The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk is a 5K (3.2 mile)
non-competitive event to raise awareness and funds to battle the disease. The walk
began at Centennial Olympic Park. The walking crew consists of sworn and civilian
personnel along with friends and family.  This year, participants wore brown t-shirts
with pink accents to show support and unity in the fight against breast cancer. A big
thanks to everyone who braved the cold!  This is the second breast cancer walk the
group has joined. This was a wonderful way for the staff to be involved in the
community and exercise.

Fall Festival was Fantastic!

Everyone had a great time at the 2011 Fall Festival hosted by the
Fulton County Sheriff's Office at the Boys and Girls Club on Donald
Lee Hollowell on Friday, October 28, 2011. Approximately 100 children
from the Club participated in the event which included a giant slide,
pumpkin rolling contest, law enforcement equipment displays,
X-Box competitions, and much more.  
 
Deputies prepared ID kits for parents that included fingerprints
and critical information about the children in case they are ever
lost, let's hope they are never lost. Food was generously provided
by the Regulators Bike Club which is next door to the Boys and Girls Club. 
 
Many of the children wore colorful costumes and all of them were full of
energy.  The Fall Festival is an annual event organized by the Fulton County
Sheriff's Office as a part of the agency's outreach programs in the community.

Countdown to H.Y.P.E. 2011!

October 15th is the big day!  The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Chaplaincy
Program is hosting the second annual H.Y.P.E. Conference to encourage young people. 
The acronym H.Y.P.E. stands for Helping our Youth Prosper and Evolve.  Sheriff Ted Jackson
says to young people, "I believe this conference will give you the necessary tools to prosper,
thrive, and advance. I am also confident the information provided will help you make good,
sound decisions as you navigate through the tough years of middle and high school." The conference
will be held Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 9 a.m. until 4:30p.m. at Jackson Memorial Baptist Church,
534 Fairburn Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30331. WAOK Talk Radio Host Derrick Boazman will be there along
with Georgia State Representative Tyrone Brooks.  Students ages 11 – 17  from local schools and
churches have been invited to participate in the youth conference. The chaplains have rounded up
several highly energized speakers to come and mentor our youth in hopes of planting positive seeds
in their minds that will allow them to grow and prosper into the most talented human beings this
world has ever seen. The students will participate in sessions covering the judicial system, the
importance of education, health and wellness, gang and drug resistance, and bullying. There will
also be a special forum for parents.  The conference is free to students and they will be provided
with breakfast and lunch. 
 
For more information, please contact Community Outreach at (404) 612-3562.

Sheriff Addresses Seniors During Empowerment Meeting

On September 19, 2011, Sheriff Ted Jackson was the featured speaker at the  "Empowerment of the Elderly

Monday Morning Meeting" at Quality Living Services, Inc.  The room of approximately 300 senior citizens

listened carefully as Sheriff Jackson delivered what can be described as a state of the sheriff's office address. 

The Sheriff told the group about the highlights of the agency including programs to help inmates at the

Fulton County Jail such as the Floor Tech Certification Program, efforts to improve the literacy of inmates

and GED testing, culinary arts program, as well as challenges facing the Fulton County Sheriff's Office --

overcrowding at the Fulton County Jail. The attendees had numerous questions for Sheriff Jackson covering

topics from opportunities for deputies, security, and many more.Quality Living Services, Inc. is often referred

to as QLS.  The center is located on Danforth Road in southwest Atlanta.

Sheriff's Office Employees Take Corporate Challenge and Succeed!

It was a G.R.E.A.T. Day at Oakley Elementary

(March 9, 2011, Atlanta, Georgia)  The Fulton County Sheriff's Office held a

 graduation ceremony for students at Oakley Elementary School for completion

 of the G.R.E.A.T. program.  G.R.E.A.T. stands for Gang Resistance Education

 And Training.  Members of the FCSO Community Outreach Section teach the 

specialized curriculum to students to help them make better choices to avoid gang activity and to discourage

 bullying.  You will notice in the attached photographs that some students received special recognition for

 their achievements in the program.  Congratulations to all of the graduates.

Fulton County Sheriff's Office Achieves

Accreditation From CALEA

Motivating Youth at Maynard Jackson High School

(March 3, 2011, Atlanta, Georgia)  Sheriff Ted Jackson and the Community Outreach Section of the Fulton County Sheriff's Office participated in youth Motivation Day at Maynard H. Jackson High School in Southeast Atlanta.  Sheriff Jackson was the special guest speaker during at an assembly of the IT students at 0830 that morning.  The Sheriff urged the students to protect their reputations and make good choices to help them in life.  There was also a lengthy discussion about behavior that can land them

in jail.  Later, the Sheriff, Deputies, and other members of the community went to several classrooms to speak

 with students in smaller groups and answered their questions.  Students were invited to come visit the Fulton

 County Jail to learn about careers in law enforcement and to see for themselves why they don't want to serve

 time behind bars.

Deputies Help Teens Steer Clear of Driving Dangers

(February 22, 2011, Atlanta, Georgia)  A normal day for Deputies Timothy

 Desrosiers and Aubrey Burnett usually involves serving warrants and hauling

 people to jail. However, on this February 22, 2011, the deputies participated

 in Safe Driving Day at Chattahoochee High to keep students from getting

into trouble.  The Johns Creek school welcomed the deputies, firefighters,

paramedics, police officers along with representatives from the Ford Motor

Company to show the students the dangers of driving while impaired by

alcohol and/or drugs and the risks of driving while distracted.  the Ford Motor

Company had three cars for students to test drive that illustrated how it feels

to drive while high.  Deputy Burnett and Deputy Desrosiers spoke with the

students on a personal level about what happens when drunk drivers hit the

road.  Deputy Desrosiers went a step further and shared photos of himself

following two accidents that he had on duty in which he received serious

injuries due to the carelessness and criminal behavior of other drivers. 

CNN Documentary Features Sheriff