Valdosta Mayor John Gayle and Chief of Police Brian Childress honored Officer Carl Dudley as the October 2014 Employee of the Month at the Oct. 7 City Council meeting.  Officer Dudley received a framed certificate, a check for $200, and his name appears on a plaque that is displayed inside of City Hall.

As a patrol officer since 2005, Officer Dudley responds to calls relayed by dispatch, conducts field interviews, and follows up on investigations, which includes gathering information and evidence, protecting crime scenes and processing the scene in the absence of an investigator. Officer Dudley also testifies in judicial proceedings, completes all required reports, and serves as a Field Training Officer when needed.

On August 17, 2014, an armed robbery occurred at the Family Dollar Store located on East Central Avenue. The subject entered the store, showed the clerk what appeared to be a gun wrapped in a shirt, demanded cash, took the money and fled on foot.  The subject was seen getting into a vehicle which fled the scene at a high speed.

While off duty, Officer Dudley noticed a vehicle that matched the description of the stolen vehicle involved in the robbery, then contacted the dispatcher and provided the tag number. Dudley maintained constant contact with dispatch throughout the incident while following the vehicle into Lanier County. Officer Dudley assisted a deputy with conducting a felony stop of the vehicle. The money and other evidence pertaining to the robbery were recovered, and both the driver and the robbery suspect were taken into custody.

Officer Dudley’s alertness and quick thinking enabled him to help solve this case in a short period of time without any related injuries.  The City of Valdosta applauds Officer Carl Dudley for his dedication to the citizens of Valdosta and for being named the October 2014 Employee of the Month.