Ricky Deaton joined Walden Security in August 2017, with a varied career before that. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1996 after 22 years of service in our country. He then worked as a Chemical Operator from 2001 to 2016.
Anyone who interacts with Security Officer Deaton can see why he is an exemplary officer. His military experience and calm, professional demeanor ensure he can handle any situation, no matter how difficult.
He was awarded Officer of the Month in January 2023 for his handling of one such situation. When a shooting occurred immediately outside his building, he efficiently followed the lockdown protocols while calmly guiding tenants on what to do and where to go. During such a chaotic situation, the importance of his efficient response and leadership cannot be overstated.
But his accolades did not stop there. He was selected as the 2023 Officer of the Year for the Chattanooga, Tennessee branch. He is pictured at an Officer of the Year Ceremony with Drew Burrows (General Manager of the Chattanooga Branch) to honor his achievements and for always leading by example.
How are Officers of the Year selected? Each of our local branches selects on Officer of the Month for every 150 officers they have. This means that some of our larger branches—including Chattanooga—may have more than one Officer of the Month. The Officer of the Year is then selected from the pool of Officer of the Month awardees. Read on to meet our other 2023 Officer of the Year Recipients.
• Esmeralda Martinez Gonzalez, EMT-Officer of the Year for Charleston, SC
Esmeralda joined Walden Security in January 2023. Receiving Officer of the Year in her first year showcases her skills and experience. She became an EMT-Basic at age 18 and obtained her paramedic license at 19. Since then, she has worked in various medical settings, including ambulances, urgent care and hospitals.
As an EMT/Security Officer, she responds to critical, time-sensitive medical calls, conducts security scans and fire impairment tag checks, escorts visitors and more. In July 2023, she was awarded Officer of the Month for responding to a call where an individual was sprayed with 93% pressurized sulfuric acid. She obtained vital details and committed them to memory while assisting the individual under the chemical shower.
• Shaponica Council, EMT-Officer of the Year for Charlotte, NC
EMT-Officer Shaponica Council, known as Nikki, has been an integral part of the Walden Security team in Charlotte for over three years. With a calm and composed demeanor, she navigates various challenges, demonstrating quick thinking and resourcefulness, and prioritizes the safety of others. In one such incident, Nikki moved to protect bystanders and her colleagues when an individual opened fire, putting herself between them and the shooter. She then pursued the intruder, noting their license plate, ensuring law enforcement had what was needed to make an arrest.
• Delyndra Thomas, Officer of the Year for Knoxville, TN
Delyndra joined Walden Security in 2022 after working in dispatch and as a machine operator. That experience serves her well, as she currently works as an Unarmed Security Officer at a manufacturing facility in Knoxville. Delyndra was selected as Officer of the Month in January 2023 for her reliability and friendly and positive personality. Her favorite part of her job is making someone smile. In fact, when asked what challenges she faces, she said, “There really aren’t any. Keep a smile and a nice word for someone, and your day is perfect.”
• Anthony Perkins, Officer of the Year for Memphis, TN
Anthony is an armed officer in Memphis with a combined 20 years of security experience (4 years with Walden Security) and 8 years of military service. In one incident, his experience, training and courage saved lives. He was stationed at a bank, where he observed two masked individuals approach with AR-15 rifles. He yelled, “Robbery!” allowing the staff and customers to cover while he ran toward the robbers to block their entry. They began firing at Anthony, who returned fire, causing the suspects to flee. No one inside the bank was injured. Anthony’s yelling “Robbery!” gave everyone time to cover, while he relied on his extensive training and experience on how to react.