VPD Officer Barry Williams Honored as 2016 Rotary Club Officer of the Year

Officer Barry Williams, a 24-year veteran with the Valdosta Police Department, was honored as the 2016 Rotary Club Officer of the Year for Valdosta, at the 9th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner (LEAD) on Feb. 18.

"Barry is exactly what a police officer should be like: dedicated, involved with his community, and respected by his fellow officers and the citizens," said Valdosta Chief of Police Brian Childress. "Those traits, along with the rapport he has built with his peers and the citizens we serve, have helped solve many crimes. He deserves this recognition, and I am very proud to work with him."

Born and raised in Hahira, Georgia, Officer Williams graduated from Lowndes High School in 1987 and joined the Valdosta Police Department on March 25, 1991. He worked in the Patrol Bureau as a Police Officer from 1991 to 1997 until he was transferred to the Power Squad Unit, a street-level crime suppression unit.

Officer Williams was nominated by the police department for the 2016 Rotary Club Officer of the Year Award for his many contributions to the city and citizens of Valdosta during his 24 years of service with the police department. Those contributions include building relationships with citizens that enable him to solve crime.

Officer Williams is known for his patience, and is viewed by his younger peers as a mentor and positive law enforcement role model.

Also honored at the LEAD event were Georgia State Patrol Trooper Hawk Parrish and Lowndes County Sheriff's Office Deputy Howard Fisher.

The City of Valdosta congratulates VPD Officer Barry Williams for being honored as the 2016 Rotary Club Officer of the Year for Valdosta.