Georgia State Patrol Post 27 in Blue Ridge and Trooper First Class Ethan Hajnal have received top honors from the Appalachian Trail Traffic Enforcement Network of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
Post 27 was named Agency of the Year and Hajnal was recognized as Trooper of the Year when the annual Safety Quad Network Banquet was held at Tooneys in McCaysville Wednesday, October 18.
McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley, deputy coordinator of the traffic safety network, presented both awards.
He praised Post 27, and specifically Sergeant First Class Jason Bradburn, for establishing strong working relationships with all the law enforcement agencies in the Post’s four county area.
A plaque presented to the Post troopers was in recognition of “outstanding and exemplary performance in the daily discharge of your duties in which you consistently achieve a level of excellence that far exceeds the acceptable standard.
“Your dedication and perseverance in the pursuit of justice for the citizens of Georgia makes you an invaluable asset to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and a credit to your profession.”
Bradburn praised local troopers for the award to the Post. “I couldn’t ask for a better group of troopers. They are all good, hard working folks. Everyone here demonstrates the core values of the Georgia State Patrol,” he said
Hajnal was recognized for the same characteristics with Earley citing the trooper’s 2,083 traffic stops over the last year that resulted in 1,188 citations, 1,028 warnings, 71 custodial arrests and 28 arrests for driving under the influence. Hajnal also investigated 81 traffic crashes.
Bradburn said of Hajnal, “TFC Hajnal demonstrates a strong work ethic and is an informal leader at the Post. He conducts himself in a professional and positive manner while on or off duty.”