By Ann Bryant
Sun Journal
FARMINGTON — Two Franklin County correction officers were honored Friday, one with a promotion ceremony and the other was named Corrections Officer of the year 2014.
Corrections Sgt. John Donald of Wilton was promoted this week to operations lieutenant. He is now the new assistant administrator at the Franklin County Jail.
Mitchell Ryan of Strong was named Corrections Officer of the year.
“It’s a little late but we’ve been busy this year re-opening the jail,” Sheriff Scott Nichols said of the award.
Ryan has a “can do” attitude and will do anything with no questions asked, Nichols said. He is an example for new officers and co-workers.
Donald nominated Ryan for the award last spring. In a letter to Maj. Doug Blauvelt, jail manager, and Sheriff Nichols, Donald said Ryan had been with the department for several years, often working “less than ideal shifts.”
“Officer Ryan has been involved with several serious incidents here at the jail in which his willingness to work as part of a team, decision making, and ability to physically handle himself have benefited the department and his coworkers,” Donald said.
Donald finds Ryan’s sense of humor and general affability are assets in dealing with emotionally disturbed or intoxicated people.
He “uses humor and his pleasant and likeable demeanor to change the inmate’s behavior, while at the same time being firm, fair and consistent,” Donald said.
“Some of the highest praise I can give him is that anytime something needs to be done and I am busy myself, I look and Officer Ryan is there, doing exactly what I need him to be doing, without being asked,” Donald said.
Nichols said there were several good candidates for the operations lieutenant position but Donald is an exemplary employee. He has worked at the jail since 1999.
Donald has proven himself as a corrections officer and instructor, Nichols said.
Nichols and Blauvelt then removed the sergeant insignia from Donald’s shirt and replaced it with those of a Lieutenant.