Union County's own Deputy Johnathan Carter has been named the latest '2024 Caught in the Act Employee of the Year,' an accolade celebrating individuals within the County's staff who have reliably gone the extra mile in their professional duties. Specializing as a School Resource Officer at Prospect Elementary School, Carter's recognition stems from his exceptional dedication to enhancing school safety and fostering a collaborative environment amongst staff and law enforcement, as Union County's announcement highlighted.
Originally honored with one of the quarterly Caught in the Act Awards in 2024, Carter was not only recognized for a singular act but his sweeping efforts throughout the entire year, Carter has ingrained his ethos of preparedness and community into the fabric of Prospect Elementary leading initiatives that have sharpened the responsiveness and awareness of those within its halls according to Deputy County Manager Patrick Niland he said to Union County, “This was not one instance that he received this award for,"—rather, "This was his body of work that he does every day, and he was overwhelmingly voted the Caught in the Act of the Year Award.”
The County leadership paid tribute to Carter's achievement during a Board of Commissioners meeting yesterday, where he was lauded for his ongoing commitment that spanned beyond implementing safety protocols. The impact of Carter's efforts was deeply felt within the community, with Sheriff Eddie Cathey remarking, “He’s a Shriner. He works in the Prospect community. He was raised in the Prospect community, and now he gives back in the Prospect community," according to Union County.
In recognition of his exemplary service, Carter didn't just walk away with a shiny title; he also bagged a $1,000 bonus and scored an extra day of vacation as a small measure of appreciation for his outsized contribution to the Prospect community with Carter’s example set, it stands that the Caught in the Act program, which also honored Senior Social Worker Chandra Eison, Human Resources employee Krysten Carlsen and Senior Social Worker Amanda Shelton in 2024, remains a testament to the spirit of public service that threads through the fabric of Union County's workforce.
