Det. Keene named Employee of the Month

In Photo (from left): Valdosta Police Chief Brian Childress, Sergeant Scottie Johns, Detective Kari Keene, Mayor John Gayle, Detective Derrick Keene and Commander Leslie Manahan. Det. Kari Keene was honored as the City of Valdosta's November 2015 Employee of the Month at the Nov. 5 City Council meeting for foiling a ring of check counterfeiters.

Valdosta Mayor John Gayle and Valdosta Police Chief Brian Childress honored Detective Kari Keene as the November 2015 Employee of the Month at the Nov. 5 City Council meeting. Detective Keene received a framed certificate and a check for $200, and her name appears on a plaque displayed in City Hall.

Detective Keene's responsibilities are to investigate property crimes such as theft, damage to property, forgery and credit card fraud. She continues to hold a first responder title, which she received as a Patrol Officer, and responds to calls for service to assist Patrol Officers.

In August, Detective Keene received news that four individuals were visiting various Valdosta businesses to pass counterfeit checks. Although it was the weekend and Detective Keene was not scheduled to work, she immediately began tracking down the individuals. Detective Keene searched for, located and stopped the vehicle the suspects were using and recovered several counterfeit checks. All four individuals were arrested. Through investigation, it was discovered that the suspects had planned on cashing more checks in Valdosta and then traveling to Florida to do the same. Due to Detective Keene's extra effort, the ring of counterfeit check offenders was stopped before they could victimize other businesses and communities.

The City of Valdosta applauds Detective Keene for being named the November 2015 Employee of the Month, an award she received for going above and beyond—both on and off duty—to protect and serve the citizens of the City of Valdosta.