By JOE JOE WRIGHT

Cordele-Dispatch

Cordele Police Chief Rob Rodriguez handed a number of promotions and awards at a ceremony held at the City Hall on Tuesday.

Surrounded by media and staff, Chief Rodriguez recognized four officers for their individual achievements.

Officer Andrew Roufs was promoted to Corporal and given a unit citation award. Officer Brandon Rivers was also promoted to Corporal  and was given a unit citation along with a separate letter of commendation for another incident involving a homicide. Sgt. Charles Pheil and Sgt. Robert Montgomery were both awarded a unit citation.

The citation presented to Brandon Rivers said, “Ptl. Rivers outstanding performance, exceptional diligence, and devotion to duty reflects great credit upon themselves and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Cordele Police department and the law enforcement profession.”

Sgt. Montgomery, Sgt. Pheil and Corporal Rivers were all recognized for thwarting what would have been an auto theft but was 

an entering auto charge. Rivers and former Cordele P.D. officer Winston Haynes were given a letter of commendation for a  May 3rd killing on 9th st south.