This week’s employee highlight is Sheriff’s Deputy Jon Wilson. Wilson moved to Scott County in January of 2018 and is coming up on his 2-year anniversary of being a Scott County Deputy. He had always been interested in working in law enforcement and says that he has wanted to be a police officer for as long as he can remember. Since the law required officers to be 21 years old, Wilson decided to enlist in the military as a police officer so that he could begin his law enforcement career earlier. He now serves the Scott County area as deputy by responding to both emergency and non-emergency calls and transporting prisoners to the Scott County Judicial Center. He also enjoys doing traffic control for the schools in the mornings.
Wilson was nominated by Sheriff Tony Hampton for always doing his job with excellence and integrity. Hampton says that Wilson is always smiling when he is both on and off duty, and everyone loves having him around to bring even more smiles to coworkers and citizens alike. Wilson’s goals for his position are to continue to work hard and prove himself to citizens as a leader and protector. Eventually, he would like to become a supervisor for the department by continuing to serve as best as he can in every new position he is put in. He says that it is an honor and a privilege to serve Scott County, and it means everything to him to be able to do so. Wilson says that serving as deputy for our county “…gives [him] purpose and a reason to get up every morning. There is nothing else [he] would rather do.”

Zack Anderson has lived in Scott County his entire life. He is married, has one 8 month old daughter, and three dogs. He decided to become a firefighter because he grew up watching his dad work in the field and thought it would be a perfect career path for him as well. Zack Anderson now works for the Scott County Fire department and has recently been awarded the Scott County Fire Department’s Meritorious Service Commendation to recognize his actions on January 22nd, 2018.
Early in the morning that day, Mr. Don Dyer and his Labrador were near a pond that had frozen over with ice. When the dog tried to walk to the middle of the pond, he fell through. Mr. Dyer tried to save him by grabbing a boat and an axe to reach his pet. When the firefighters got there, Dyer was still in the boat trying to save the dog contrary to the orders given by the firefighters to turn back. Once one firefighter made it into the water, Mr. Dyer’s boat sank putting him into the frigid water. Anderson then entered the water and broke through the ice with his arm all the way to Mr. Dyer. He got to Dyer and was pulled back in by the other men. After saving Mr. Dyer, the dog was then rescued by Anderson and another firefighter using an inflatable boat, bringing the dog safely back to his owner.
Chief Mike Fuller commends Anderson’s actions by saying that he “…upheld the highest standards of the fire service exhibiting great personal courage and resolve…” The Scott County Fire Department’s Meritorious Service Commendation recognizes firefighters that go above and beyond his or her duties in life threatening situations to save lives. That is exactly what Zack Anderson did that day. He says that firefighters train a lot; about 80% of the job is training. To fulfill a duty that they train so extensively for means everything to him. He had problems accepting the award at first because he felt that he was just fulfilling his duty as a firefighter. He appreciates the award and the acknowledgement from Chief Fuller, but he says that any firefighter on or off the truck that day would have done exactly what he did because that is what they train for every day. He says that he could not have done it without the other men on the scene, and the Scott County Fire Department deserves all the recognition and gratitude for the great people he gets to work with.
Thank you to Zack Anderson and the entire Scott County Fire Department for what you do every day for your citizens.

J.R. Brandenburg is the Road Supervisor of the Scott County Road Department. He and his wife of 42 years decided to settle here for their careers and for that special Scott County feeling of “home.” He lives with his family, including his son and grandson, while working for the county. He worked in the equipment business for 20 years before getting involved in county government in the Road Department. When the road supervisor at the time became County Clerk, the position opened up for Brandenburg. His responsibilities include maintaining his department and the roads they are in charge of, scheduling yearly road pavements, snow removal, high water issues and damage, and providing for the overall care and safety of Scott County roads. He says that there is never a dull moment in his field of work, but he enjoys all the ups and downs, challenges, and rewards of working for the good people of Scott County. His goal for the upcoming year is to keep improving the roads while keeping up with the growing population and increasing traffic. He wants to see the roads continue to get better and safer for all citizens. Lastly, Brandenburg says that the constant support from the judge and all the court members makes his job a lot easier. They always make sure he has all the equipment and services he needs to keep the roads in the best condition possible.

The Police Department’s annual “No Shave November” fundraiser is in full effect this year. Male officers are typically not allowed to have facial hair whatsoever throughout the year, but during the months of November and December, they are allowed to let it grow with a donation of at least $25 a month for those two months. The money they raise is pooled together to participate in Whitaker Bank’s Angel Tree program. Once their funds are raised, they will go to the bank and pick out names of children on the tree to buy Christmas presents for that year. They have been able to buy gifts for up to 13 children each Christmas since the tradition started.

Those who choose to shave or any officer can still donate to the cause or go buy toys for the children themselves, but the officers say that about half of the station participates by keeping their scruffy beards for the entire start of winter. They can also pay to keep their beards for both November and December or just for one month.

The men really enjoy this tradition because they normally have to shave every day. One officer said that he has been working in the police force for over 20 years and has had to shave every day except during this winter tradition. They also enjoy the morale boost that comes along with comparing each other’s facial hair as the months go by.

Two weeks before Christmas all the money is put together to see how many children they can buy for that year. They usually try to put about $125 towards each child to meet both their needs and their wants. When they pick a name off of the tree, the only thing they know is the child’s gender, age, clothing/shoe size, and three top wishes for Christmas. They have bought bikes and helmets, nerf guns, and all sorts of fun toys for the Angel Tree kids. The officers always try to buy two outfits and the number 1 toy for each child, and sometimes they are able to get all three wishes provided they have enough funds for them. A main priority is to keep the child warm for the winter by buying winter coats, hats, and gloves. Once they buy all the gifts, they will take them back to the bank and the bank will give the gifts to the families. It is all anonymous.

The beards have to be gone by January 1^st, but until then, keep a look out for some scruffy faces around Scott County!