NEWS RELEASE                                             

For Immediate Release
July 28, 2006
Contact: Catherine Dokey
Community Relation Coordinator
  (850) 651-7448

Employees of the Quarter, 2006

Okaloosa County Sheriff Charlie Morris has recognized Deputy Sheriff Randall Joiner and Non-Sworn Employee Juanita Wright as his Employees of the Quarter for the Second Quarter of 2006.

            Deputy Sheriff Randall Joiner, assigned to C Shift, North, has been with the Sheriff’s Office since April of 2003.  He is also a Crime Scene Investigator and a Field Training Officer.  On April 24th the Sheriff’s Office responded to an armed robbery that just occurred at the Tom Thumb on Ferdon Boulevard in Crestview.  Deputy Joiner, with his trainee Deputy Teems, traveled the area and sat stationary to observe any suspicious activity.  Both officers observed a vehicle in the area displaying unusual behavior and conducted a “Terry Stop” on the vehicle.  During their investigation, they learned the tag attached to the vehicle was not assigned to the vehicle and the driver had a suspended driver’s license.  The driver was arrested for the violations and further search of his person revealed large sums of money in his pants pocket.  An inventory of the vehicle was conducted also revealing a loaded sawed off shotgun in the trunk.  Video surveillance from the Tom Thumb linked the driver to the armed robbery.  Supervisors say “had it not been for Joiner’s diligent efforts, this dangerous felon may still be at large.”    

Juanita Wright started her employment with the Sheriff’s Office in October, 2004 and is an Airport Communications Officer.  Her supervisor says, “employees such as Juanita are the core and fabric that make Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office the agency that it is.”   Juanita was instrumental in helping design the airport security proximity badge that is currently in use.  She maintains these badges, airport personnel security files, airport keys and keeps them updated to meet federal regulations which must pass regular federal audits.  She is also responsible for monitoring 32 video surveillance cameras throughout the airport.  With the opening of the new airport in November, 2004, Juanita stepped up to the challenge and did not hesitate to take a leadership role in the implementation of the new security program.  Without her positive attitude, professional work ethic, and ability to motivate her peers, this surely would have been a difficult endeavor.      

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