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“Have I dotted every ‘I’ or crossed every ‘T’? I don’t think so. But, I try my best to do my job to the best of my ability. I pray to God that he’s been glorified.”

That’s what Betty Cox said after being recognized Monday on her retirement as the Atmore Police Department’s dispatch supervisor.

Cox, or Ms. Betty, retires after 26 years with the APD. Her job can be chaotic given the number of phone calls she gets on a given shift, but Chief Chuck Brooks said she took command and made sure the right first responder gives aid to the caller.

“It is my honor to stand in front of you today to recognize without a doubt one of the most important people that works right now with Atmore Police Department,” Brooks said. “Ms. Betty has been a staple at that police department for 26 years.”

Brooks said without a doubt in his mind, there’s none better than Cox.

“I tell every communications officer I hire that they are the most important person on that shift,” the chief said. “There’s no telling how many lives she’s saved by getting the person the correct first responder. She takes command of that call. You have to understand how important that is.”

While at the APD, Cox was in charge of all of the dispatchers, and was over the LETS system, which gives the department administrator access to driver’s licenses and other information for investigators

But, the most important characteristic about Cox is her deep faith, Brooks said.
“You know she’s a very spiritual person,” he said. “She’ll throw a scripture on you in a New York second. And I love that about her. She’s shared a many scripture on me. And I’ve even shared some with her.

“She’s my friend,” he added. “I love her. You’re absolutely everything to me and my department.”

Cox said the department was a part of her life.

“Twenty-six years,” she said, fondly. “This is a part of my life. I felt like a mother hen working with I’d say my family. I pray to God that He’s been glorified. I looked at this job as a ministry to me. I was there to serve, to serve the people. I believe that God has been glorified. I’m going to miss it because that was a part of my life.”

In other business, the council approved the use of Houston Avery Park for a family gathering for Twila Pierce and Earlean Robertson.