Ludowici Police Chief Robert Poppell recently recognized several members of his department during Police Officer Appreciation Week.  

The special event took place at City Hall with friends and family members on hand to show their support.

Officer Shae Pruitt, Sgt. Phillip Bohannon and Capt. Travis Thomas each received with the Outstanding Service Award for a drug bust. Officers Anthony DeSanto, Marvin LaRoche, Sam Frank and Sedric James each received the Outstanding Service Award.

After Poppell finished passing out the awards, Thomas took to the forefront to give out a special award. Thomas said that throughout the year, Poppell had supported him and the rest of the department and always was setting a good example for them. As a token of their appreciation and to show their support for him, Thomas said, they were presenting the chief with the Leadership Award.

Poppell, who was surprised, thanked each officer and told the crowd that the he accepted the award, but only on behalf of the entire department.