Dade County Deputy Nathaniel Espy Named Officer Of The Year
Photo by Lydia Berglar – Nathaniel Espy of the Dade County Sheriff’s Office won the 2024 Officer of the Year Award for his dedication to making Dade’s roads, drivers, and passengers safer.
By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor
At the 19th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Ceremony, Tony Moreland told the crowd, “I’m glad to say that I believe we have a whole bunch of people here who do the right thing even when it ain’t popular, even when it’s uncomfortable, and even when it’s hard.” Moreland, a retired law enforcement officer, serves on the event’s selection committee and was this year’s guest speaker.
Presented by The Trenton-Dade Optimist Club and Georgia State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, the May 16th gathering recognized Georgia’s fallen officers, local Officer of the Year nominees, and Dade County’s Officer of the Year.
In 2023, Georgia lost five law enforcement officers:
- Master Patrol Officer Clarence L. “CJ” Williams of the Cairo Police Department died January 28th due to duty-related illness.
- Deputy Sheriff Tyee Michael Browne of the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office died July 5th due to gunfire.
- Sheriff Robert Daniel Rodgers of the Wilcox County Sheriff’s Office died August 29th due to an automobile crash.
- Correctional Officer I Robert Danforth Clark of the Georgia Department of Corrections died October 1st due to assault.
- Sergeant Marc Andrew McIntyre of the Spaulding County Sheriff’s Office died December 29th due to gunfire.
When reading the joint city/county proclamation, Ted Rumley (county executive) highlighted the cooperation between Dade’s local elected officials and our law enforcement departments, explaining that he has seen other counties that do not enjoy this level of cooperation.
Carlton Stallings of the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police introduced Moreland who served in the United States Army Military Police, then as a deputy sheriff and police officer before retiring from law enforcement to become the CEO of Georgia Probation Services.
Photo by Lydia Berglar – Tony Moreland, retired law enforcement officer, speaks at the 2024 Law Enforcement Appreciation Ceremony.
Moreland spoke about his impressions as a boy of law enforcement officers in TV shows, books, and real life. “They were my heroes,” he said. He recalled seeing Dade County Sheriff Allison Blevins with his uniform and patrol car. “From that day on, all I wanted to be was a police officer.”
Of becoming a Military Police officer, he said, “They pounded it into us that we weren’t no better than any other troops; we just had a different job. That was our job—to do what was right and do it honestly and don’t be picking on people just because you had the power to do it.”
Moreland spoke about instances where officers did what was right even when those around them chose corruption or favoritism. He said that over the years, he found out that not all officers do what is right. He said, “Police officers, we get confused a lot of times about what our function is. Your job is not to punish anybody, that’s what courts do and the department of corrections. Our job is to report crime.”
He cited famous cover-ups and mishandlings of crime such as the Jeffrey Epstein and Larry Nassar cases. “It’s hard to do the right thing because it don’t always turn out the way you think it will. Guess what? People don’t always like it when you do what’s right.”
However, he said that it is difficult to choose just one officer to win the annual award because so many of Dade’s officers make the right choices even when it’s difficult. Moreland concluded, “It’s people like you who make little boys like me want to be a police officer.”
Stallings recognized the nominees for Officer of the Year. The nominees were:
- Deputy Nathaniel Espy – Dade County Sheriff’s Office
- Officer Brittney Espy – Trenton Police Department
- Special Agent William “Ghee” Wilson – Georgia Bureau of Investigation
- GWFC Kyle Faulknor – Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division
- MCO3 Cody Sturdivan – Motor Carrier Compliance Division
- TFC Ethan Sarrell – Georgia State Patrol
Photo by Lydia Berglar – This year’s officer nominees pose with local officials.
Stallings noted Sarrell’s passion for protecting citizens. Sarrell completed 1,184 traffic stops in 2023 and administered first aid to a gunshot victim.
Of Sturdivan, Stallings said he earned six certifications that go above and beyond requirements, he addresses the leading causes of crashes, and he’s rescued several people from dangerous situations, including a kidnapped hostage.
Stallings cited Faulknor’s work at Cloudland Canyon State Park and his dealings with nine poachers in 2023.
Of Wilson, Stallings cited his significant volunteer work, such as serving with The Salvation Army. Wilson has worked on complicated homicides and opioid cases.
When introducing the Espys, Stallings explained, “If you’re wondering, since they have the same last name, they are husband and wife.” He said Brittney is an overall outstanding officer who responded to a vehicle wreck this last year and attempted to save the life of the victim.
Nathaniel Espy is this year’s Officer of the Year. He led his department in arrests for driving under the influence and drugs. Stallings said, “He’s taken a proactive and reactive approach to make the roads of the county safer.” Espy led programs on safe driving for Dade County High School students and the South East Tennessee Area Young Marines.
