Kent County presents Quality Service award to Sgt. Kathy King; deputy health officer Teresa Payne to retire after 28 years

Kent County presented a Quality Service award to Sergeant Kathy King of the Kent County Sheriff’s Office at the Board of Commissioners meeting May 26, 2025, and County Administrator Al Vandenberg announced the retirement of Teresa Payne after 28 years of county service.

Administrator Al Vandenberg introduced the award presentation and read the nomination summary submitted on behalf of jail residents, which praised Sgt. King’s professionalism and willingness to talk with and assist those in custody. Vandenberg said the nomination noted King “went out of the way to help inmates whenever possible” and that she is “very professional, respectful, courteous, and above all, concerned about others’ well-being.” Commissioners and the sheriff joined in congratulating Sergeant King.

In the administrator’s report, Vandenberg told commissioners that Teresa Payne is retiring after 28 years with Kent County, 24 of them in the health department, where Payne served as deputy health officer before moving into the role of chief inclusion officer. Vandenberg described Payne as widely known in the community for her contributions and invited commissioners to a going-away event planned for the following week. Several commissioners publicly thanked Payne for her service and noted her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and other county efforts.

No formal action or vote was required to recognize the award or to note the retirement; the items were presented as part of the meeting’s ceremonial and administrator-report sections.