Cullman Police Department honors officers for years of service

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Cullman Police Officer Tyler Jackson, Sgt. Trey Higginbotham and Sgt. Joey Duncan (W.C. Mann for The Cullman Tribune)

CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman Police Department (CPD) on Friday morning recognized three of its officers for their years of service to the city. Officer Tyler Jackson and Sgt. Trey Higginbotham received their five-year pins, and Sgt. Joey Duncan was presented his 20-year pin.

As CPD Chief Kenny Culpepper presented the pins and certificates, Capt. Gene Bates shared this information about the officers:

“Tyler Jackson was hired as a reserve officer in 2014 then became a full-time patrol officer and graduated from the Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy in December 2015. Tyler became a field training officer in 2017, transferred to the Crime Suppression Unit in January 2020, then moved to the Traffic Unit in March 2020. He organized and hosted the 2019 annual golf tournament that benefits the Cullman Law Enforcement Services Association.

“Sgt. Higginbotham was hired by the Cullman Police Department in July 2015 and graduated the academy as a member of the 166th Basic Session of the Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy in December of 2015. From 2015 to October of 2019, Higginbotham worked as a patrolman on both night and day shifts, while also working on the Crime Suppression Unit from 2017-2019. Sgt. Higginbotham was assigned to the DEA Task Force in Birmingham from 2018-2019 and has been a Tactical Unit member since 2017. Higginbotham was promoted from officer to sergeant on Oct. 30, 2019 and is currently assigned to one of the night shifts.

“Sgt. Joey Duncan started his career in law enforcement in July 2000. He was hired as a part-time correctional officer. In October of 2001 he was hired as a full-time correctional officer. In January 2005, he was hired as a patrol officer and promoted to sergeant in June 2019. Sgt. Duncan is currently a departmental instructor in ECITE/ECRASH, Stinger Spike System and Radar/Lidar. He is also the field training coordinator and one of three Traffic Homicide investigators with Cullman PD. He is currently assigned to the Traffic Unit.”

Duncan had added a few notes of his own to the sheet with the official statement, and the small crowd broke out in laughter as Bates did not hesitate to read them into the presentation: “Sgt. Duncan is probably one of the most known officers within Cullman PD. Citizens are always waiting in line to talk with him to get his expert advice. Cullman PD realized what an asset they had in him years ago. We are very fortunate to have him work for us and serve the citizens of Cullman. Roll Tide!”

After the ceremony, Culpepper told The Tribune, “We appreciate all of our officers, and especially the ones that have had the longevity. It is so difficult to be an officer now, compared to when I started, and I really appreciate all of them. They’ve done a great job.”

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W.C. Mann

craig@cullmantribune.com