The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office handed out its annual Awards Thursday. JSO Citizen of the Year Honors went to MAD DADS Jacksonville Chapter President Donald Foy.
Donald Foy started MAD DADS in Jacksonville in 2003. That’s the same year John Rutherford became Sheriff, as Rutherford recalls.
"Over the past twelve years we have stood side-by-side walking many neighborhoods together. And while our perspectives and our backgrounds might differ, we are united in the common goal of helping citizens take back their neighborhoods by telling us what they know and getting the criminal element out of their community," Rutherford says.
MAD DADS, which stands for Men Against Destruction Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder, is a community group that fights to reduce violence and strengthen communities. Foy says it’s an honor to receive the Citizen of the Year Award so close to the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King.
"We do what we do in honor of him. Because we feel that he wouldn’t be standing by at a time like this - with murder and violence and drugs overtaking our community. He would be taking a stand by going to the community," Foy says.
JSO also honored eight officers and other department employees for outstanding service.
