Union County honors Prospect Elementary resource officer with annual "Caught in the Act" award

Union County recognized Deputy Jonathan Carter with the annual "Caught in the Act" award at a county meeting, honoring his sustained work as the school resource officer at Prospect Elementary.

The award is selected from four quarterly recipients; one of those quarterly winners is chosen as the annual honoree. County staff told the meeting that the county had hoped the presentation would be a surprise but that a small bonus in Carter's paycheck made the honor known in advance.

County staff described Carter's nomination as the result of a body of work rather than a single incident, citing his efforts to involve school staff and teachers in proactive safety planning and to lead programs that promote awareness and preparedness. Sheriff Eddie Caffey spoke at the ceremony and said he had coached Carter in middle school football and praised Carter's continued involvement in the Prospect community, including coaching youth sports.

Sheriff Caffey and county staff described the award as recognition of strengthened partnerships between law enforcement and the school community. County staff invited Deputy Carter to accept the award during the meeting; the transcript records the invitation but does not include Carter's remarks.

No formal votes or legal actions were recorded for this item; the meeting record lists the recognition as a ceremonial action.