Law enforcement honored with BBQ

(Media Release) Northwest Georgia's law enforcement officers were honored Friday with an appreciation bar-b-que by the Community Criminal Justice Foundation.

 

The event, held at The Forum in downtown Rome, included music, door prizes and exhibitors.

 

Tim Bearden, director of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, presented the keynote address.

 

Bearden was appointed by Governor Nathan Deal to his post in October 2011.  Bearden's law enforcement service cemented his strong belief in serving the public, leading him to the political arena in 2004.  He was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives where he faithfully served as State Representative in House District 68 which includes Carroll and Douglas Counties.

 

After a brief update on the state of law enforcement in Georgia and the new facility , Bearden encouraged attendees to use the state office as a resource for local law enforcement.

 

Dr. Greg Sumner, co-founder of CCJF, said "it was tremendous to have a man with such wealth and knowledge about law enforcement to show humility and encouragement for our local officers."

 

During the lunch, Rome Rotary Club presented a check for $1,500 to Georgia Highlands College and CCJF for a Criminal Justice Scholarship in honor of Judge Norman Fletcher, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia.  Fletcher has practiced law in Georgia since 1958 and retired from the bench in 2006.