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A pair of Troup County public safety officers were recently recognized for their exemplary service by the Optimists Club of LaGrange.

Deputy Mitch Poole and Firefighter Owen Tyree were recognized as the club’s Deputy of the Year and Troup County Firefighter of the Year for 2025.

The awards are given out annually by the club as part of their Respect for Law initiative. The two county award winners were recognized at the Troup County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday. The club also traditionally presents police officer and city firefighter awards at the LaGrange City Council.

The Optimist Club dates back to 1951 in LaGrange when the club was started by several prominent members of the community. In 1965, Optimist International started the club’s Respect for Law program. 

The Respect for Law program came about from a meeting with J. Edgar Hoover and the then-president of Optimist International, who decided that the club would create an award that could be used by local organizations to highlight the good work local law enforcement does in communities all over the world. 

Originally, the program only recognized members of law enforcement, but following the tragic events of September 11, the Optimists felt that it was important to recognize members of the fire department as well. 

“Since then, this program has been a highlight of our club’s annual agenda. It is our honor to work with the police and fire chief and recognize one of our own hard-working public servants that have gone above and beyond in their line of duty,” said Optimists Club of LaGrange Vice President Hilliard Daniel. 

“The individuals that we recognize today truly are making LaGrange a brighter and more optimistic place for our youth,” Daniel said.

 

Deputy Mitch Poole

“Earlier this year, around the end of January, while most of us were enjoying snow with our families, the members of the Troup County Sheriff’s office had to continue their daily work. During that week, our sheriff deputy of the year volunteered his time to help transport people to and from the office just to be sure that his coworkers were safe. This is just one example of how our deputy of the year goes above and beyond,” Daniel said.

While off the clock, Poole also picked up a chainsaw and spent time in the cold, cutting and removing trees to keep our roadways safe.

Poole is anywhere he is needed without hesitation and always there to help the citizens of Troup County or the coworkers he is around every day, according to TCSO Major Jeff Duran.

“When someone at the Troup County jail was away from work for an extended period of time due to illness, Deputy Robert Poole, who goes by Mitch, stepped in to pick up some of those extra responsibilities and ensure that things continued to run smoothly. The Troup County Sheriff is better off for having a deputy like Mitch within its ranks,” Daniel said.

 

Firefighter Ownen Tyree

Troup Fire Battalion Chief Scott Hester will tell you that he wishes he had 10 people like Tyree.

Tyree shows great devotion to his position and his career. He has the willingness to help any and everyone he meets and is always one of the first people to volunteer to help out when something is needed, Daniel said.

Tyree is devoted to serving the community and his coworkers and gives his all when doing so. This individual has attended many different classes this year to be more prepared for his position, such as the FO1, ISAR, and structural fire control classes. 

Tyree has also stepped up and become one of the founding members of the Troup County Fire Department Dive Team and volunteered his carpentry skills to help prepare and revamp the dive team trailer. 

“Firefighter Tyree is an asset to the Troup County Fire Department and an asset to the Troup County Community. He is definitely one of those employees that you can count on when others might not be willing to step up,” Daniel said. “Thank you for being an optimistic part of our county.”