Corporal James “Jay” Hughes, was honored as the 2008 Peachtree City Rotary Club Officer of the Year, Saturday evening at a festive banquet. Each year the Rotary Club of Peachtree City selects an outstanding officer for this distiguished award. Corporal Hughes was selected for this award because he has proven himself a positive role model for others to follow. He is the type of police officer that others choose to emulate and has been instrumental in helping launch the careers of several officers under the police department’s field training program. Hughes has a unique ability to balance the needs of the community with enforcement responsibilities. He has earned a distinct level of respect from his peers, supervisors and commanders alike, as well as the civilian members of the police department. Corporal Hughes takes a hands-on approach when training others, which is a quality that many young officers seem to admirer. His leadership, professionalism, and commitment to team building is unquestionable. He has had a tremendous impact on the police department’s success as an organization and the ability to achieve its mission. The Peachtree City Rotary Club Officer of the Year award recipient has provided an excellent service to the citizens of Peachtree City for over ten years. Similar to the Rotarians motto “Service above Self”, this officer has demonstrated commitment, consistency, loyalty and dedication in serving and protecting the citizens of Peachtree City.

Corporal Hughes grew up in Peachtree City, is a graduate of McIntosh High School and attended Columbus State University, receiving a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice. He began his employment with the police department in 1997 and was advanced to Corporal in January 2000. Among a lengthy list of basic training courses, he excels as one of the police departments several Accident Re-constructionists.