Awards
The American Jail Association is committed to the professional growth of our nation’s jails. There are dedicated people in every organization who work long and hard to ensure their organizations continue to grow professionally. Among these professionals are some whose performance is exceptional. There are also governmental or tribal correctional facilities that have developed an innovative and progressive approach that help the industry as a whole.
AJA 2025 Awardees:
Francis R. “Dick” Ford Distinguished Service Award
Sally Hernandez, Sheriff, Travis County Sheriff's Office, Austin Texas
Valor Award
John Elliot, FTO, Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Innovation Award - Large Jail
Louisville Metro Department of Corrections, Louisville, Kentucky
Innovation Award - Medium Jail
Walton County Sheriff's Office, Defuniak Springs, Florida
Correctional Administrator of the Year Award
Daniel Galbraith, Warden, Harford County Sheriff's Office, Bel Air, Maryland
Correctional Supervisor of the Year Award
Jacob Tannehill, Sergeant, Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, Wichita, Kansas
Correctional Training Officer of the Year Award
Vincent Cruz, Corporal, Hernando County Sheriff's Office, Brooksville, Florida
Correctional Officer of the Year Award
Santos Barbosa, Jr. Correction Officer, New York City Department of Corrections, East Elmhurst, New York
Civilian Employee of the Year Award
Kelly Regester, Analyst, Las Vegas Metro Police Dept. Detention Services Division, Las Vegas, Nevada
Volunteer of the Year Award
Timothy Johnson, Pastor, The Fatherless No More Institute, Inc., Orlando, Florida
