Sontus Mitchell, a deputy with the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Department, does not think he did anything to warrant receiving a special honor, but he is grateful for the community’s support.
“Everybody knows I go out there and do my job in good faith,” said Mitchell. “I guess when I go out there with a bullet-proof vest every night, the community appreciates it.”
The GSU alumnus has been named the law enforcement Officer of the Year at the 2015 Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce 95th Annual Awards Banquet held Jan. 29 at the Ruston Civic Center.
The award is part of the Kiwanis Club of Ruston Outstanding People Awards, which honors the firefighter, law enforcement officer and educator of the year.
Mitchell, a native of Choudrant, spent four years playing baseball for the Tigers as a pitcher. After he graduated from Grambling with a bachelor of science degree in 2007, he took steps to enter law enforcement and began his career with the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Department in Dec. 2010. He is currently assigned to the Patrol Division.
Sontus was surprised to receive the award, but he says he joined the Sheriff’s Department because he wanted to make a difference in his community.
“I wanted to help my community. I wanted to protect and serve,” said Mitchell. “I know a lot of people in the community.”
“Law enforcement is fun, but it can also be stressful. We deal with a lot of situations, but we do have a big impact for kids, since a lot of kids want to be police officers,” he said.
Mitchell and his wife, Destiny, have a six-month-old son, Cason. He is also an avid fisherman who regularly competes in bass tournaments.