FARMINGTON — Two Franklin County corrections officers were honored Friday, one with a promotion and the other named 2014 Corrections Officer of the Year.

Sgt. John Donald of Wilton was promoted to operations lieutenant, making him the assistant administrator at the Franklin County Jail.

Mitchell Ryan of Strong was named 2014 Corrections Officer of the Year. 

“It’s a little late but we’ve been busy this year reopening the jail,” Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. said of the award.

Ryan has a “can-do” attitude and will do anything with no questions asked, Nichols said. He is an example for new officers and co-workers.

Donald nominated Ryan for the award last spring. In a letter to Maj. Doug Blauvelt, jail manager, and Nichols, Donald said Ryan had been with the department for several years, often working “less than ideal shifts.”

“Officer Ryan has been involved with several serious incidents here at the jail in which his willingness to work as part of a team, decision-making, and ability to physically handle himself have benefited the department and his co-workers,” Donald said.

Donald said Ryan’s sense of humor and general affability are assets in dealing with emotionally disturbed or intoxicated people.

He “uses humor and his pleasant and likeable demeanor to change the inmate’s behavior, while at the same time being firm, fair and consistent,” Donald said.

“Some of the highest praise I can give him is that anytime something needs to be done and I am busy myself, I look and Officer Ryan is there, doing exactly what I need him to be doing, without being asked,” Donald said.

Nichols said Donald is an exemplary employee. He has worked at the jail since 1999. Donald has proven himself as a corrections officer and instructor, he said.

Nichols and Blauvelt placed the lieutenant insignia on Donald’s uniform.

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