Floyd County Police Honored As Patriotic Employer
Floyd County Police Chief Bill Shiflett was presented with a certificate and pin Wednesday morning announcing the Floyd County Police Department as a Patriotic Employer.
The recognition was given by Ben Terry of Employers Support Army National Guard and Reserve.
Terry said employers receive the honor when they follow certain laws pertaining to deployed soldiers, such as keeping in touch, recognizing them for their service, and letting them return to work.
Shiflett said he’s proud to employee American soldiers who are willing to serve their country. One such police officer is Pfc. Marcus Roberts, who recently returned from a nine-month tour of southern Iraq as a military police officer.
“We’re glad to serve our country and have heroes like Marcus to serve our country. It’s an honor to be associated with soldiers like him,” Shiflett said.
Roberts, the school resource officer at Pepperell High School, said he was glad to return home to his girlfriend and three children, saying he didn’t get to talk with them much because of the eight-hour time difference between the Middle East and the United States.
“Sometimes it was hard to get in touch with people,” he said.
Two other Floyd County officers, Rusty Williams and Michael Westervelt, are also serving in the military. Williams left recently to serve in Afghanstan and Westervelt to join the military full time.
Ben Terry (left) presents Pfc. Marcus Roberts and Chief Bill Shiflett with the award Wednesday.
