WARNER ROBINS – Six law enforcement officers were recognized Thursday by the Noon Optimist Club of Warner Robins at its Respect The Law Week program.

Jason Ashford, Houston County district attorney, led the ceremony that honored law enforcement nominees from the six agencies in the county: the cities of Warner Robins, Centerville and Perry; the Houston County Sheriff’s Department; and the 116th and 78th Security Forces squadrons at Robins Air Force Base.

Receiving a plaque and a $100 check were:

• Officer David Houck of the Warner Robins Police Department;

• Officer Kent Reed of the Centerville Police Department;

• SMSgt. Bill Thompson of the 116th Security Forces Squadron;

• MSgt. Paul B. Diedrich of the 78th Security Forces Squadron;

• Deputy Dennis L. Marshall of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office; and

• Lt. James Buck of the Perry Police Department.

Each of the honorees was nominated and selected by their respective agencies.

Brett Evans, Warner Robins police chief, said Houck “does his job well because he truly loves it. He’s modest and lets his work speak for himself.” He noted Houck’s work with STOP – Selective Target Operations Police – that patrols dangerous areas, and remarked he “has a high conviction rate” on the number of citations he’s written.

Sid Andrews, chief of police services for Centerville, said Reed was the department’s best community-oriented officer and wrote Reed even had motorists thank him after being issued a ticket.

“His interaction with the community is the best and what we need more of,” Andrews said.

Ashford, an Air Force retiree, reminded those present that the base’s security squadrons “run the Air Force” as he introduced Diedrich.

Among his many duties with the 78th security squadron, Diedrich is on the bicycle patrol and is a dog handler.

“When asked to do a job, Paul does it right away and well,” said SMSgt Eubanks. “He does all a great service.”

Ashford accepted the award for Thompson, who was on duty out of town. Thompson is the non-commissioned officer in charge for the for the Georgia National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, a joint Army and Air Force National Guard organization charged with supporting all levels of federal, state and local law enforcement and community-based organizations in the fight against drug abuse.

Marshall was cited as being “the epitome of what it means to be a deputy” by Sgt. Brad Stone. Marshall has “top notch skills” as a field training officer who trains other officers, Stone added.

“It’s hard to find guys who can do that, and he’s a big help,” Stone said.

Buck’s career in Perry has been “one step up after another” since he joined the force in 1999, said Chief George Potter. Buck’s selection was unanimous, Potter continued, adding that Buck is going to be a captain one day.

“He helps give our department a good foundation and is a cornerstone of our agency,” Potter said.

Potter and Evans thanked the Optimists for honoring the efforts of military and law enforcement personnel.

“It seems it’s more rare these days for this kind of recognition for the role we play,” said Evans. “These small things stand out.”