Centerville police officer Kent Reed was honored last week as the department's 2009 Officer of the Year.

Reed was a former deputy with the Bibb County's Sheriff's Office, retiring in 2008.

According to Sid Andrews, chief of Centerville's police services, and Tony Cooper, director of public safety, Reed became the department's best community-oriented officer, developing positive relationships with citizens and local business owners.

Also honored during last week's council meeting was animal control officer Terry Wright, who has worked with the city the last 15 years. As part of his duties, Wright responds to all animal complaints while patrolling the city. He is also a school crossing guard during school hours and assists officers with prisoner transport. This past year, he responded to the Galleria mall when police were dispatched to a shoplifter running from store security. Wright had spotted the suspect and relayed the information to officers, resulting in an arrest. For his efforts, Wright was named Police Officer of the Fourth Quarter 2009.

Officer Freddie Mullin began working with Centerville full time in October of 2008. Mullin was formerly with the Macon Police Department and Bibb County Sheriff's Office. He retired from Macon PD in 2005, and used his law enforcement experience to train Iraqi police before coming to Houston County. As part of his duties, Mullin has also volunteered as Santa Claus during the city's annual Christmas parade. Mullin was named Police Officer of the Third Quarter 2009.