CRESTVIEW — The city's Officer of the Year is credited with the major breakthrough leading to the November 2016 arrest of a prime suspect in the long-unsolved case of Melissa Howard's 2006 murder. And he ain't done yet.
Investigator Ralph Garrett was unanimously selected for the honor by Chief Tony Taylor's command staff, who cited Garrett's congenial nature, team-player attitude, and 36 years of professional law enforcement experience as factors in their selection.
"Investigator Garrett has dedicated his skills and experience to working cases involving crimes against children," Garrett's supervisor, Cmdr. Jamie Grant, wrote in a letter of commendation.
"His calm demeanor, understanding and sincere personality aid him in talking with children and calming distraught parents of child victims. Investigator Garrett's experience and vast knowledge of the law is paramount in these type cases and his track record is proven by the successful prosecution of 98 percent of the suspects in his cases."
"He's amassed a reputation in the law enforcement community that's unsurpassed," Chief Tony Taylor said during Garrett's March 13 recognition before Mayor David Cadle and the Crestview City Council, during which Garrett received the city's Distinguished Service Award.
"I'm very humbled by this," Garrett said. "I never thought about (achieving this recognition). You do what you enjoy doing. That's the reward."
Garrett's "devotion and passion to help today's children and families not only reflects in our community but is a voice for the nearly 300,000 children who are sexually abused each year in the United States," Grant stated.
For Garrett, "there's no burnout factor," as happens to some child crime investigators in other agencies. Garrett said he relies on his strong faith to help him do his job.
"It's a desire to put those who do children wrong where they need to be," Garrett said. Garrett was also praised for his work on the Melissa Howard murder and Kristi Rogers disappearance, but was quick to share the compliment.
"It's a team effort," he said, saying progress in the cases is shared by state and local law enforcement agencies. "It's like putting a puzzle together that's been lying around for a long time."
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Police investigator is Officer of the Year (VIDEO)