It is recognition for a job well done.

Lawrence County Sheriff Tim Sexton Friday announced two employees had been honored as Employees of the Month for January and February in a newly implemented departmental recognition program.

“This is something I had been wanting to do, wanted to implement as a way of showing my appreciation and the chief’s appreciation (Chief Deputy Jeff Lawless) for what people do and give them a little something to strive for,” Sexton said.

“We have many people here who are deserving. A lot of people put in extra time and effort. I think the public has no idea what the sheriff’s office does daily and how much we do every day.”

Corrections officer Bill Winters was chosen as January’s honoree. Winters is an 18-year veteran of the sheriff’s office.

“He’s worked hard in the jail for many years, which is by no means an easy job,” Sexton said of Winters. “He handles our computer problems, he’s handles our sex offender registry and our carry concealed weapons program. He keeps the jail’s fiscal ledgers and he can always be counted on to work and he has a positive attitude.”

Winters said he was surprised by his selection.

“I just come in and do my job and do what’s expected of me,” he said. “It’s a team effort. The whole department of a team and we have to work as a team.”

Detective Aaron Bollinger was chosen as February’s employee of the month.

“He always gets along with everyone and he’s a very hard worker. There was an incident recently where Aaron went to the scene and (deputy) Quincy (Milem) commented on his professionalism.

He’s got a good ethic and he always gets the job done,” Sexton said of Bollinger.

Bollinger said his selection as employee of the month was nice but a bit awkward.

“Everyone here at the (sheriff’s) office works their butts off. Everyone here works hard, so it’s kind of awkward to receive an award for working hard. Everyone here has a part to play if we’re going to get the job done.”

The 12 monthly winners are eligible to be chosen as employee of the year at the end of 2006.