MT. VERNON, IL — The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association on Valentine’s Day named a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy as “Deputy of the Year” during its Winter Conference.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard had nominated David A. May for the award after an officer-involved shooting at the Jefferson County Courthouse in October 2021. Deputy May jumped in to help a correctional officer, who was in a scuffle with an inmate. That inmate had taken the officer’s gun and had already fired one round into the floor. Deputy May saw the scuffle on surveillance cameras, rushed to the basement and shot the inmate. The inmate threw the gun away and was placed into custody. In December, Deputy May was awarded a medal of valor from his department and in January was awarded the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office’s 2021 Deputy of the Year.

Sheriff Bullard says this is a prestigious honor considering all the officers nominated that are deserving in their own right.

The Sheriff’s Association awards just one winner in three categories at the Winter Conference and they include a Deputy, Correctional Officer, and Telecommunicator of the Year.