HR172.html

Commending Trooper First Class Lisa A. Stocks on her selection as the Peace Officer of the Year for Valor and inviting her to appear before the House of Representatives; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Trooper First Class Lisa A. Stocks of the Georgia State Patrol was selected by the Peace Officers´ Association of Georgia to receive the Earl Hamrick Award for Valor as the Peace Officer of the Year for Valor; and

WHEREAS, on January 3, 2000, while responding to a call for assistance from Coffee County 911 operators, she placed herself in the direct line of fire in an attempt to save the life of Officer James Bryant of the Broxton Police Department, who had been fatally wounded while trying to serve an eviction order; and

WHEREAS, during the gunfire directed at Trooper First Class Lisa A. Stocks, and other law enforcement officers who had arrived at the scene, Deputy Sheriff Almond "Tub" Merritt of the Coffee County Sheriff´s Department was also fatally wounded; and

WHEREAS, she unselfishly and without hesitation or concern for her own personal safety placed her life in imminent peril to protect and assist her fellow law enforcement officers; and

WHEREAS, she has a distinguished record with the Department of Public Safety and has consistently exemplified the highest ideals of public service; and

WHEREAS, her determination and character have been reflected in her professional performance throughout her career with the Department of Public Safety and her high standards of conduct have served as a model for the law enforcement officers and citizens of this state.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize and commend Trooper First Class Lisa A. Stocks on her selection as the Peace Officers´ Association of Georgia 2000 Peace Officer of the Year for Valor and invite her to appear before the House at a time to be determined by the Speaker.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Trooper First Class Lisa A. Stocks.