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Recently, Troup County Felony Drug Court team member Cornelius Evans has been named Probation Officer of the Year by the Council of Accountability Court Judges (CACJ) after being recognized for his work with the Troup County Felony Drug Court program.

“I had no idea I was nominated, let alone a recipient,” Evans said. “I was absolutely floored when I found out. I was so honored and beyond belief because in my line of work I have no expectation of recognition.”

Each year, the CACJ hosts a STAR Awards Ceremony to recognize individuals from each discipline of accountability court teams for being at the top of their respective fields. Evans was nominated in the probation staff category by his Troup County team, as they agreed that his commitment to improving the lives of others would qualify him for Georgia’s top honors.

As a probation officer, Evans sees dozens of men and women offenders. 

“The core mission of our agency is to protect and serve citizens of Georgia,” Evans said. “We provide effective supervision and provide opportunities for successful outcomes. When these folks who are served a sentence in Superior Court to a term of probation or parole, we want to number one keep the public safe. We also want to make sure that these citizens reintegrate and not reoffend.”

Evans said he has worked with the Troup County team for four years and has acquired the technique and skill it takes to do his line of work. 

“This is a great honor, and I am very proud to be a part of the Troup County team,” Evans said. “Being a probation officer allows me to fulfill my agency’s mission to protect the citizens of Georgia while providing offenders with opportunities to make positive changes.”

The Felony Drug Court program is intended to offer sentencing alternatives to offenders whose offenses are related to drug addiction.

It is a very selective program that aims to help participants make positive lifestyle changes through various areas of education and treatment. 

“Evan’s Drug Court team is thrilled that his dedication to impacting participants’ lives has been duly recognized, and they agree that there is no one more deserving of this honor,” a press release from Troup County said. 

Evans said at the end of every day, he just wants the offenders in the program to be successful. 

“This will sound really corny, but seeing when these lives are changed, seeing folk change and be positive is why I am here,” Evans said. “I am passionate about it, and it is really those instances of folks in the criminal justice cycle change to be something positive. That’s the motivation. That’s my motivation every single day.”