Georgia State Patrol Troop I was one of several law enforcement agencies to win big Friday when the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety hosted its 12th Annual Governor’s Challenge Awards at the Macon Centreplex.

An annual recognition program of law enforcement agencies of all sizes and from all over the state, the program features recognition in seven different categories based on department size as well as several other specialty categories.

Troop I, which patrols 15 Southeast Georgia counties, took the top award in the impaired driving category.

Designed to award outstanding achievements in highway safety enforcement and education, the awards recognize agencies for the approach and effectiveness of their overall highway safety programs. Agencies are evaluated not just for enforcement initiatives, but for innovative problem-solving in their communities, using public information activities, and creating departmental policies that support their traffic enforcement campaign efforts.

“I want to congratulate Capt. Billy Hitchens on commanding such a hard-working group of law enforcement officers,” said GOHS Director Harris Blackwood. “This award is indicative of their dedication to keeping their communities safe and free from dangerous drivers.”

“The agencies that win a Governor’s Challenge Award have gone the extra mile not only in their enforcement activities, but the professionalism in their work,” said GOHS Law Enforcement Services Director Ricky Rich.