Callaway Sheriff's chief deputy receives G.W. Law Award

Callaway County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Darryl Maylee smiles as he accepts the 2014 G.W. Law Award from the Fulton Rotary Club on Wednesday inside Sir Winston's Restaurant.
Callaway County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Darryl Maylee smiles as he accepts the 2014 G.W. Law Award from the Fulton Rotary Club on Wednesday inside Sir Winston's Restaurant.

The Fulton Rotary Club honored Callaway County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Darryl Maylee on Wednesday with the G.W. Law Award, an honor given to a law enforcement official annually who exemplifies Rotary's motto "service above self."

Maylee's colleagues in the sheriff's office nominated him for the award. Those are the people he thanked while accepting his award because, he said, of their support and dedication to the job.

"As an administrator, you're only as good as the people around you," Maylee said. "(The award) shines on all of us."

Maylee's father was a reserve officer for the Callaway County Sheriff's Office, and his role first piqued Maylee's interest in law enforcement. In 1987, Maylee joined the New Bloomfield Police Department as a volunteer officer, and two years later, did the same with the sheriff's office.

He became a full-time officer in Pike County in 1990. Maylee returned to Callaway County in 1992 as a sheriff's deputy.

Jail administrator was another duty Maylee has taken on. He also worked with Associate Circuit Judge Bob Sterner in the prosecuting attorney's office, but Maylee's passion for police work drew him back.

"He could not stand to be away from what he loved to do," Sterner said.

Sterner also commented on Maylee's modesty.

"He shows that he's humble to a fault," Sterner said. "I wouldn't be surprised if the sheriff ordered him to accept this award."

Crane also spoke to Maylee's character, and gave an example. When Maylee found out about the recent death of a 6-year-old Fulton boy, he called Crane to ask how he could help, despite recovering from a surgery.

"That's just the guy he is ... Whatever needs to be done, he's always willing to put in a hand," Crane said.

The G.W. Law Award is named after Callaway County Sheriff George W. Law, who was killed in 1873 when a mob attacked him while transporting a prisoner.

While the award highlights the accomplishments of an individual officer, the annual event is an opportunity for the Fulton Rotary Club to recognize and say, "thank you" to all law enforcement.

"They know their day can go from zero to 60 mpah in the blink of an eye," Charlie Anderson, Callaway County Ambulance Board director and rotary member, said.

New Bloomfield Board of Education member Megan Haas also nominated New Bloomfield Police Chief Chris Hammann for the honor.