During his five and one half years with the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Jarrod Hayes says he’s just tried to help the public and make a difference in their lives.
At least two people would say, “Mission accomplished.”
"Thanks to his persistence, a woman who had been beaten, bitten, and held captive in an attic survived her attack because Hayes arrested her assailant and rescued her from a place where she could have possibly been killed," officials said.
Another self-described elderly snowbird from Missouri wrote Sheriff Scott Chitwood a letter praising Deputy Hayes for his actions after the man and his wife had a blowout in their car while headed south on I-75 and had to pull over in the median.
“Unable to change the tire, I called for help,” the man wrote.
“Deputy Hayes, #572, responded. He made sure my wife and I were safe and assisted us to change a tire and reach Walmart on my emergency spare. Officer Hayes was friendly, competent, and extremely helpful to this pair of senior citizens. I’ll be forever grateful to this dedicated officer. He proved to be an outstanding representative for your department.”
For these and other outstanding performances on the job, Deputy Hayes has been named the Whitfield County Employee of the Month for June.
To help residents learn more about him, Hayes filled out the following survey:
Name: Jarrod Christian Hayes
Job: Whitfield County Sheriff's Office
Time with the county: 5 1/2 years
Education: Southeast Whitfield High School
My role as a county employee: To be a positive influence in the county and to assist citizens in their time of need.
What keeps my job interesting: Every day is different and you have a chance to interact with different people every day.
What gives me a sense of accomplishment on the job: When you see something in the face and eyes of a person that lets you know that you have helped them and have made a difference.
The most important thing I've done on the job: Be productive and pro-active
Where I grew up: Whitfield County
After work, I enjoy: Working in the garden and spending time with my family and friends and watching Georgia Bulldogs football. GO DAWGS!!!!
Favorite TV show: ESPN
Favorite Sport: Football
Favorite Music: Country and classic rock
Favorite Whitfield County restaurant: Big John's Treat Shop
Favorite Whitfield County event: Christmas parade
Three people (living or dead) I'd invite to dinner: My Mother (deceased), Grandfather, and my Grandfather who passed away before I got to meet him.
I'm most proud of: Being happy and blessed with a wonderful family and co-workers that are the same as brothers and sisters.
Pet peeve: Questions with obvious answers that should not be asked.
If I've learned one thing in life, it's: Talk to people; you never know who you may be talking to or will meet.
Who has had the most impact on my life: My grandparents
Personal goal I have accomplished or would like to accomplish: I would like to start and graduate from college.
If I could have been in any profession of my choosing, I would have been a: Chef
If I could have two wishes, they would be: 1. My family to be healthy and happy 2. Sideline passes to every Georgia Bulldogs football game.
You'd be surprised to learn that I: Will be the new school resource officer at Southeast Whitfield High School.
Anything else you'd like to say: There are many of my co-workers that are more deserving of this recognition than me. My shift makes me be a better deputy, and they push me and are there for me. We are a brotherhood, and I could not imagine working with a better shift than the one that I have been blessed to work with. I thank all of them for what they have taught me, helped me with, and their friendship: Lt. Stephens, Sgt. Lowery, Deputy W. Johnson, Deputy B. Gomez, Deputy D. Headrick, Deputy C. Hackney, Deputy B. Dial, Deputy G. Cooley, Deputy J. Brown, and Deputy S. Omahony. Those are my employees of the month.