DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Wednesday morning was uneventful for Matt Webb. That is not a bad thing when you are a deputy for the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office. Recent developments have clearly demonstrated that law enforcement officers never know when they may face a life-threatening situation.

Deputy Webb is a very young man, with an important responsibility – protecting the public. Four years ago, he was a senior at White County High School. Soon after graduation, he was hired to work at the Dawson County Detention Center.

Although he is the first in his family to choose law enforcement, he said there was never any doubt about what his career path would be. “I watched a lot of cop shows and thought it would be interesting,” he said. “Plus I really like helping people.”

On Wednesday, he took a member of the Citizens Law Enforcement Academy on a ride along. The Academy is aimed at giving citizens a better understanding of law enforcement and promoting good will between the public and the sheriff’s office. A ride along is an optional part of the Academy.

Like most deputies, Webb works 12-hour shifts. Wednesday started at 6 a.m. with security checks at a number of businesses in Zone 1. No problems found.

That was followed by a drive through one subdivision after another, some of which had seen a rash of auto break-ins recently. That started with a drive through the upscale Chestatee and was followed in succession by Carson’s Creek, Nix Bridge Park, Kilough Forest and Oak Forest.

Webb also checked several churches and all of the parks in Zone 1 and recorded on his in-car computer after each one.

There was an alarm at Dentures and Implants to be checked out but it turned out to be a false alarm, something Webb said happens often.

Then there was a minor fender bender around 9:30 a.m. at Power Center Shopping Center, an SUV backed into a pickup truck. The result was a busted tail light and an embarrassed driver.

But that is how the morning went. Very routine. The Academy member left at noon so it is unclear how the remaining six hours of Deputy Webb’s shift went. Hopefully it was just as routine. After all he has a very important day coming up on Saturday.,,, his wedding day!

Before dropping off his passenger, Webb asked for any advice about his impending marriage and was told, “Do everything she says, when she says do it and you’ll be fine.”