Law enforcement honored at GOHS meeting in Gainesville

GAINESVILLE - The Governor's Office of Highway Safety honored several local law enforcement agencies and officers at this year's North Georgia Quad Meeting recently in Gainesville.<br /> <br /> The Northeast, Piedmont Area, Appalachian Trail and Mountain Area II traffic enforcement networks were represented at the meeting. These networks cover more than 30 counties in north Georgia.<br /> <br /> The Stephens County Sheriff's Office won the Agency of the Year Award. <br /> <br /> Fallen officer Cruz Thomas (Franklin County Sheriff's Office) was recognized with the Officer of the Year Award. Thomas was killed earlier this year in a vehicle crash while attempting a traffic stop on Interstate 85. His mother, Tina Thomas and father, Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas, accepted the award on his behalf.<br /> <br /> Heltcher Awards, honoring those with the most DUI arrests, were presented to Donald Bowman of the Flowery Branch Police Department (Category 1), Justin Martin with the Gainesville Police Department (Category 2), and SpencerMunger with the Georgia State Patrol (Category 3).<br /> <br /> "We're very happy to honor these agencies and officers for their hard work in keeping our roads safe," said GOHS Director Harris Blackwood. "GOHS congratulates all of the winners, and we are very eager to continue working with the great law enforcement agencies that serve North Georgia."<br />