Valdosta Mayor John Gayle honored Heather Willis as the December 2019 Employee of the Month at the December 5, City Council meeting. Willis received a framed certificate, a check for $200, and her name will appear on a plaque displayed in City Hall.

Heather Willis began her career with the Valdosta Police Department in November of 2005 and currently holds the rank of Sergeant. Sergeants are responsible for the supervision of Patrol Officers on their day-to-day duties.

On September 26, 2019, Sergeant Heather Willis responded as a Supervisor to a residence where Officers were conducting a welfare check on an elderly female who lived there. When no one could make contact with her and they found signs at the house that someone could be home, Sergeant Willis authorized the officers to force entry into the residence to check on the female’s well-being. The least intrusive way to make entry was for a piece of plexiglass that was on a door window to be broken.

Sergeant Willis went back by the residence and made contact with a friend of the resident who lived there. Sergeant Willis asked the friend if she had a way to fix the door. When she responded that she did not, Sergeant Willis took it upon herself to measure the window and go get supplies to fix it. Sergeant Willis fixed the window, not only at her expense, but also on her day off.

Sergeant Willis exemplifies what it means to be a Police Officer, to protect and serve the citizens of Valdosta. She is an asset to our Police Department and to the City of Valdosta.