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Kemp visits new Covington PD headquarters
Kemp visit Covington PD
From left, Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp and Governor Brian Kemp are presented a badge from Covington Police Chief Stacey Cotton. The Kemps stopped by the Covington Police Department on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, to tour the new facility and meet with officers. (Special to The News)
Taylor Beck
Updated: Aug 21, 2020, 3:54 PM
Published: Aug 20, 2020, 8:07 PM

COVINGTON, Ga. — Gov. Brian Kemp stopped by for a brief tour of the new Covington Police Department building Thursday afternoon.

Covington Police Chief Stacey Cotton said the governor dropped by for the quick, unofficial visit around 2 p.m. to see the facility, meet with staff and speak with officer Matt Cooper.

"Great to visit with [the Covington Police Department] this afternoon!" the governor wrote on Twitter. "[First Lady Marty Kemp] and I are thrilled to see Officer Matt Cooper healthy and back at work. To the brave local law enforcement officers across Georgia, thank you for your service to your communities and our state!"

Cooper sustained a brain injury when he was injured by a gunshot wound to the head while on duty Sept. 3, 2018. He returned to duty in May.

The Covington Police Department moved into its new home, located at 13183 Harland Drive in Covington, in February and has been working to get settled in ever since, Cotton said.

"[Kemp] was impressed with the new facility and thanked us for the hard job we do," Cotton said. "He knew we had just moved and just wanted to stop by and see it and say hi to the officers and staff."

Kemp and Cooper
From left, Covington Police Officer Matt Cooper and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp are pictured inside the Covington Police Department on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020.
Covington Police Deparment Awards Officer, Rookie, Employee of the Year Awards
Phillip Matthews acceptance
Sgt. Phillip Matthews accepting the 2024 Officer of the Year Award. Photo courtesy of Molly Rice Photography, CPD Facebook.
Staff Report
Published: Mar 1, 2025, 9:00 PM

On Thursday, Feb. 2025, the Covington Police Department (CPD) honored the men and women who make up the CPD team at their annual awards ceremony. 

Awards included the 2024 Officer of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Top Gun. 

  • Officer Phillip Matthews received the 2024 Officer of the Year award.
  • Officer Jonathan Bruce received the 2024 Rookie of the Year award.
  • Officer Michael Ward received the 2024 Top Gun award.

The CPD also awarded the 2024 Departmental Employee of the Year recognitions to officers in their respective departments. To qualify, an employee must have been recognized as an Employee of the Quarter during 2024.

  • Sgt. Brandon Wilkerson received the Patrol Employee of the Year award.
  • Lt. Brian Shockley received the Support Services Employee of the Year.
  • Detective Christopher Bowles received the C.I.D. Employee of the Year award.

The CPD issued thanks to the award recipients, thanking them for their service.

“We are proud these gentlemen are members of the Covington Police Department and our CPD family. Congratulations officers and thank you for serving our community,” the CPD stated in a Facebook post.

The CPD also awarded Departmental Commendations, Meritorious Service Awards and 100 Club. As of press time, these award recipients have not been released, but they will be included in future editions of The Covington News.