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HomeNewsTennessee Highway Patrol Announces the 2011 Dispatcher of the Year

Tennessee Highway Patrol Announces the 2011 Dispatcher of the Year

The Tennessee Highway Patrol LogoNashville, TN – The Tennessee Highway Patrol named Dispatcher Max Milam the 2011 Trooper of the Year at an award ceremony held Thursday evening. Milam, a communications supervisor, is assigned to the THP’s Jackson District.

Additionally, seven other Dispatchers received Dispatcher of the Year honors in their respective districts.

“The dispatchers are the unsung heroes of our agency,” THP Colonel Tracy Trott said. “They do an outstanding job of keeping our troopers safe across the state. Their hard work does not go unnoticed. It is an honor to recognize them for their efforts.”

Max Milam

Milam earned the Dispatcher of the Year award after handling efforts to respond to the shooting involving Trooper Dwayne Stanford on September 28th, 2011. The lone dispatcher on that day, Milam was advised via radio that Trooper Stanford was making a traffic stop on Interstate 40. Within a few minutes, Trooper Stanford relayed that shots were fired and he had been shot and was in need of an ambulance.

Milam confirmed his location, contacted EMS and had them en route, dispatched back-up for Trooper Stanford and notified proper THP personnel – all while handling routine radio traffic and incoming telephone calls to the Dispatch Center. Milam stayed in constant communication with Trooper Stanford, who was struck in his bullet proof vest, to make sure he did not go into shock.

Meanwhile, Milam also notified Trooper Stanford’s family and subsequently arranged for their transport to the hospital and contacted the District Attorney’s Office to advise him of the incident. During all of the radio and telephone traffic, Milam remained calm and focused, efficiently handling his duties and responsibilities.

He began his career as a Communications Operator in the Jackson District in December of 1987. Milam now serves as the district’s Communications Supervisor. His supervision and leadership has helped the district to maintain the lowest Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) error rate among other THP Communications Centers.

Jeffery Robbins

Robbins was named the Dispatcher of the Year for the THP Knoxville District. He has served with the THP since November of 2007 and has spent the majority of his career on midnight shift. Dispatcher Robbins is a dedicated and conscientious employee, who always goes the extra mile to provide assistance to the troopers, his co-workers, the public and other agencies.

He has been recognized by citizens with complimentary letters on several occasions this past year. Dispatcher Robbins is a valuable asset to the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Stacey Boyd

Boyd was named the Dispatcher of the Year for the Chattanooga District. She is a certified training officer and serves as the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) evaluator for the district. Operator Boyd has gone above and beyond during the training program for new employees, including changing shifts to accommodate the needs in the district.  She rates all trainees in a professional matter and sets an outstanding example for them to follow.

Operator Boyd seldom requests leave time and is willing to change any scheduled off-time and shifts at a moments’ notice. She is dedicated, works diligently and achieves the best results possible in all aspects of her position. Operator Boyd strives for perfection and the department is better due to her efforts.

Nicholas Stembridge

The THP Nashville District selected Stembridge as Dispatcher of the Year. Dispatcher Stembridge received a zero percent error rate on his 2011 Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) annual evaluation. He consistently receives exceptional ratings on his overall job performance. His level-headed demeanor and even-keel disposition ensures that stressful events will be dealt with efficiently and in a professional manner.

Dispatcher Stembridge has also operated the THP Command Post in Davidson County for special enforcement efforts. Dispatcher Stembridge’s abilities are critical to effective emergency communications.

Ashley Roach

Roach was named Dispatcher of the Year for the Memphis District. Dispatcher Roach, a member of the Memphis Communications Center since October 2009, routinely performs her job duties aggressively and purposefully. On April 28th, 2011, Dispatcher Roach provided pertinent and timely information to a trooper on a subject wanted by the state of Arkansas for first-degree Terroristic Threatening.

On August 23rd, 2011, Dispatcher Roach responded to a radio call from a trooper who was in pursuit of a subject wanted in connection with a shooting in Jackson, Tennessee. The trooper followed the subject into a residence where he had to physically restrain the suspect. Dispatcher Roach maintained in constant contact with the trooper and directed assistance to his location. Her ability to stay focused and remain calm may have thwarted a potentially deadly situation. Dispatcher Roach understands the volatility of a trooper’s job and works diligently to ascertain and disseminate information quickly.

Rebecca Casey

Casey has been named Dispatcher of the Year for the Highway Patrol’s Fall Branch District. Dispatcher Casey is a shining example of how to perform the duties of an emergency communications dispatcher. She is extremely knowledgeable of all the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems and ensures all new employees conform to communication office activities as a training officer.

Dispatcher Casey always arrives early for her shift to assess what calls will be active to start the day, and prioritizes all calls coming into the communications center. She is always professional and courteous with county officials and the general public, and is a valuable asset to the department.

Andrew Bilbery

Bilbery has earned the Dispatcher of the Year award for the THP Cookeville District. With no experience, Dispatcher Bilbery began his career as a Dispatcher 1 in November of 2007 and has made a significant impact in the Cookeville District since then. He exceeds all expectations and has set a positive example for his peers.

In 2011, Dispatcher Bilbery, assigned to the midnight shift, had 1,767 Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) entries with zero errors found. His top priority is trooper safety and he is always willing to put forth the extra effort to ensure they are safe and the motoring public’s needs are addressed.

Dispatcher Bilbery is also a volunteer firefighter with the city of Algood and assists the Algood Redskins kindergarten through eight football team. His dedication to the department and volunteer community service work is like none other.

Jennifer Crews

Crews has been named Dispatcher of the Year for the Lawrenceburg District. After joining the department in January of 2007, Dispatcher Crews has served the THP in both the Knoxville and Lawrenceburg Districts. She has exemplified the behaviors of a model employee during both tenures.

In the Lawrenceburg District, Dispatcher Crews has proven to be a competent employee, consistently serving troopers in the field by providing timely and accurate information. Her Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) entries have ranked among the lowest error rates in the district. Dispatcher Crews is empathetic, kind and considerate of everyone she comes in contact with. Her devotion to duty is unmatched.

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