Forsyth Co. investigators recognized by state DA group

CUMMING - Two investigators with the Forsyth County District Attorney's Office were recently named 2014 DA Investigator of the Year by the District Attorneys' Association of Georgia. Criminal Investigators Andy Kalin and Britt Massey received the awards July 20 at the summer conference of the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia.<br /> <br /> Kalin and Massey were nominated for the award by Forsyth County District Attorney Penny Penn and John Bennett, chief investigator for the District Attorney's Office.<br /> <br /> "It is unique to nominate two individuals for the 'Investigator of the Year' recognition, but we believed it was appropriate due to their equally heroic actions taken on the morning of June 6," said Penn.<br /> <br /> Investigators Kalin and Massey were in the Forsyth County District Attorney's Office, located on the second floor of the Forsyth County Courthouse, when they were alerted of an active armed assault at the front steps of the courthouse on the morning of Friday, June 6. Not knowing any specific details and without hesitation, Investigators Kalin and Massey took action. First, they informed coworkers of what was happening and directed them to stay in place. They then ran down the stairs, armed only with their service weapons and badges, with the intention of engaging the threat with deadly force. Along the way, the two alerted others of the situation and directed them to take immediate shelter. <br /> <br /> "Their swift response to protect others by warning of the potential danger and advising people to stay put most assuredly would have saved lives if the gunman had breached the interior of the courthouse," said Bennett.<br /> <br /> Once outside, the men were two of the first to get to the wounded Deputy Daniel Rush and rendered aid to him. In the line of fire and exposed to the assailant, they immediately carried Deputy Rush to a safer location on the side of the building until the threat was eliminated.<br /> <br /> "On this day two very dedicated investigators, two very mature and experienced Peace Officers with the DA's Office, didn't run the other way," said Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney Fred Bright, who served on the award selection committee. "To help another, they leaped into action to save other's lives and engage the threat head on. They took immediate action without regard for their own safety. These two recipients truly are heroes."<br /> <br /> "Investigator Kalin and Massey's heroic actions undoubtedly saved lives on June 6, 2014," said Prosecuting Attorneys' Council Executive Director Charles A. Spahos. "Their willingness to put themselves in harm's way without hesitation to protect their co-workers and other civilians is a reflection of their dedication both to their profession and to the people of Forsyth County."<br /> <br /> Criminal Investigator Andy Kalin is a thirty year law enforcement officer. Most of his career was spent serving as a detective with the Boynton Beach Police Department in Florida. He has been with the Forsyth County District Attorney's Office since 2008.<br /> <br /> Criminal Investigator Britt Massey is a twenty plus year law enforcement officer. During the first part of his career, he served with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office as an investigator and supervisor. He later worked as an investigator with the Cherokee County District Attorney's Office in the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit. After retiring from Cherokee County in 2012, he joined the Forsyth County District Attorney's Office.