Sheriff presents medals to Covington County E911 staff after welfare check that ended in shooting

Sheriff Blake presented medals and a proclamation at the March 25 Covington County Commission meeting recognizing Sergeant Houston Gilbert and three E911 communications officers for their roles in an early‑March incident the sheriff said involved a welfare check that turned dangerous.

"It's an honor to be able to get up here and present these awards," the sheriff said, describing a call in the "early morning hours of March 2025" that began with hang‑up calls and reports from a caller the sheriff described as unstable. The sheriff said communications officers dispatched Sergeant Gilbert to the address for a welfare check.

The sheriff described Sergeant Gilbert parking with patrol lights on, climbing a locked gate and attempting to contact occupants. The sheriff said a sedan then ran through the locked gate and the driver exited with a firearm; the sheriff said, "Sergeant Gilbert discharged the service weapon, stopping the would be assailant. Once the assailant was rendered disabled, Sergeant Gilbert administered life saving first aid." The sheriff added that, "Due to the state of the mind and the history of the suspect, there is no doubt that the actions of our police communications officers and sergeant Gilbert saved lives."

Sheriff Blake presented a Covington County Sheriff's Meritorious Service Ribbon to Sergeant Houston Gilbert and medals to communications officers Leslie Jernigan and Jayla Baxley; he said PCO Lindsey Johnson was not present and would receive her recognition later. The sheriff also read a proclamation thanking the Covington County E911 Department "for their outstanding service and exceptional distinction among their peers," and praised the communications team for working with first responders and for investigating calls to identify potential emergencies.

The presentation was ceremonial; no formal board action was recorded on the awards at the meeting.