The Buckhead Business Association presented its “Officer of the Quarter Awards” to Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Wilcox and to two Atlanta Police Zone 2 detectives and the entire Criminal Investigations Division at the organization’s quarterly luncheon at 103 West on April 19.
Awards were presented to Investigators Bruce Wilson and Thaddeus Dansby, as lead detectives, and the entire group of Zone 2 investigators for their work leading to the apprehension of suspects in the seven Buckhead ring robberies, which began January 5.
All victims were targeted for their jewelry and the similarities in the robberies allowed police to focus their investigation. A total of $183,000 worth of jewelry was stolen by the three individuals involved. All of the three arrested have extensive records of arrests and all were in custody by April 5.
Also involved in the investigation were Zone 2 precinct patrol officers, the Atlanta Violent Impact Team, Metro Fugitive Task Force, the Atlanta Crimestoppers Program, Buckhead Coalition and the Buckhead Alliance.
Deputy Wilcox was working a second job on Howell Mill Road at I-75 when a car being chased by Cobb County police exited I-75 south at Howell Mill, ran a stop light and crashed into another vehicle. The four occupants of the car ran from the scene, one of them running in Wilcox’s direction carrying a .38 caliber pistol. Wilcox apprehended the suspect 50 yards from the scene of the accident and turned him over to Cobb police.
The officers were presented with award plaques and gifts donated by business members of the BBA. The presentations were made by BBA Vice President for Public Safety Don Vellek.