Jemison Deputy Chief Marc McMinn was named the Jemison Police Department’s 2013 Officer of the Year.

Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer presented McMinn with the award at the department’s annual Christmas banquet Dec. 30, 2013.

McMinn has been with the Jemison Police Department for seven years and Fulmer said tirelessly works for the department and the residents of Jemison each day.

“He makes lots and lots of sacrifices,” Fulmer said. “A lot of times he will have worked a full day and someone calls in sick so he will step up and work that shift. He is constantly trying to figure out how he can make things better for not only our department but the city.”

With a combination of administrative duties, community outreach such as speaking to schools and the annual Jemison Citizen’s Academy, Fulmer said McMinn is also the department’s lead criminal investigator.

“He works all the major cases,” Fulmer said. “In any business, that person who is second in command needs to be someone who is trustworthy and capable of handling that situation.”

Fulmer said he started the Officer of the Year award in 2009 and selects someone from the department each year to receive the title.

“The purpose of the Officer of the Year is to highlight that position in the department and that person’s work ethic,” Fulmer said. “If I have to be out of the office for something I never worry that things wouldn’t operate like they should. The comfort of knowing that he [McMinn] is capable and knowledgeable enough to carry out things while I am away is tremendously important.”

Fulmer said McMinn has a good relationship with the staff at the police department as well as the residents of Jemison.

“He does a great job,” Fulmer said. “His hard work and dedication to the department and the city is something that is very valuable.”