Paulding Sheriff's Sergeant Wins Public Safety Award

PAULDING COUNTY, GA — A sheriff's sergeant won a prestigious award from the Paulding County Board of Commissioners Tuesday, according to a release from the Paulding County Sheriff's Office. Sgt. Fred Berke of the sheriff's office's Juvenile Division, won the county's Public Safety Award.

Berke, a 12-year veteran of the sheriff's office, won the award for diligent work with the Criminal Investigations Division and school resource officers, the release says, working to "connect the dots when crimes are committed by young people."

"Fred is relentless when it comes to investigating juvenile crime, he is definitely one of the best. We are extremely proud of the job that he does for the Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Paulding County," Sheriff Gary Gulledge said in the release.

He has developed an expertise in gang crimes and activities, the release says.

Berke won a Certificate of Appreciation from the Board of Commissioners and a gift card for dinner for two at Texas Roadhouse.

Sergeant Berke was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Board of Commissioners along with a “Dinner for Two” Gift Card from Texas Roadhouse.

Photo caption: Standing First Row (L-R): Detective Sean Lipstreu, Lieutenant Starry Kilgore, Lilliam DeJesus (Sergeant Berke’s wife), Sergeant Fred Berke, Sheriff Gary Gulledge, and Sergeant Lenny Carr. Standing rear row (L-R): Post 1 Commissioner Ron Davis, Post 2 Commissioner Sandy Kaecher, County Attorney Jayson Phillips, Commission Chairman Dave Carmichael, County Administrator Frank Baker, Post 3 Commissioner Chuck Hart, and Post 4 Commissioner Brian Stover.