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Lowndes County Sheriff Chris West has announced the inaugural winner of an award recognizing law enforcement officer’s service to their community. The Deputy of the Month award, conveyed on a member of the Sheriff’s department, rewards sworn officers striving for excellence.

Deputy Onrey Moses received the January honor. In the two years since he joined the department, acting patrol commander Rene’ Webster said Moses shines among his peers and out in the community.

“We award this by listening to the community,” Webster said. “Moses was given a shout out on Facebook about how great he was.”

Webster said Moses goes the extra mile to perform his duties and ensure safety in the area where he patrols.

“We appreciate him doing extra patrols,” Webster said. “I came out one night to work with him at midnight. I heard him on the radio. He was literally checking every gas station that’s open, every building, just really making sure that the community was safe.”

Recipients will be chosen on how they perform duties and how well they interact with the community, she noted.

“It’s about what they do when nobody’s watching,” Webster said. “We’re getting nothing but praise for Deputy Moses, so he was selected for the January, the very first, award.”