Deshawn Jones, the Unit Manager at Lee Arrendale State Prison in Alto, recently received the Bobby Franklin Award from the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC).
Jones received the award at the 12th Annual GDC Awards ceremony on June 9 at GDC Headquarters in Forsyth.
The GDC said one morning on his way to work, Jones approached a traffic accident. He saw a large amount of smoke pouring from the engine of one of the vehicles and realized a woman was trapped inside. He ran to the vehicle and found that he could not get the door open due to the damage from the accident. Jones did not give up, and bent the window frame down, reached in and grabbed the woman. He lifted her out of the car and carried her to safety.
“The Department is proud to honor Deshawn for his extraordinary bravery,” said Commissioner Homer Bryson. “He has 10 years of experience under his belt, and he is an invaluable asset to the Department.”
Jones began his career in 2006 and has served as Assistant Commander of the GDC Honor Guard, Shift OIC, and CERT Sergeant.
The Bobby Franklin Award was created to honor the memory of Correctional Officer Bobby Franklin of the Colwell Probation Detention Center. Officer Franklin died on August 20, 2003 while deployed in Iraq. He was a Staff Sergeant with the 210th National Guard Military Police in Franklin, NC and voluntarily lengthened his tour of duty to remain with his troops. He began his career with the Department of Corrections in 1987.
Making the award presentation with Chief of Staff Greg Dozier were Assistant Commissioner of Administration & Finance Scott Poitevint, Assistant Commissioner of Facilities Timothy C. Ward, Assistant Commissioner of Inmate Services Dr. L.C. ‘Buster’ Evans and keynote speaker Randall Godfrey. More than 200 guests attended the ceremony.
