Eight members of the Richland County Sheriff's office were named Wednesday as employees of the year for 2012 in their various job classifications.

The awards were presented by Sheriff Steve Sheldon and Major Dale Fortney before a room full of families, friends, and colleagues.

Sheldon says all do a phenomonal job and this is only a small token of appreciation for their work.

The Deputy Supervisor of the year is Sergeant Donald Zehner, with Robert Caltrider the Deputy of the year.  

The top Correction Supervisor is Sergeant Chris Blunk, while Leonardo Gartner is Correction Officer of the year.

Shawn Chitwood is the top Special Deputy, while the mounted deputy of the year is Corporal Brenda Tuttle.

The civilian employees of the year are Shirley Dowdy and Adrianne Hoover.    

Lifesaving Awards were given to: Corrections Officers Tim Johnson, Ken Levering, and Brian Smiley; Deputies Scott Kotterman and Chuck Kochis; and Lt. Katrina Douglas.

Certificates of Merit were given to: Deputies Steve Boyd, Jeff Winbigler, Steve Schivinski, and Duane Kilgore; Sgt. John Nicholson; and Staff Lt. Donald Zehner.

Office Citations were given to: Deputies Gary Kiener and Robert Caltrider; Sgt. Tim Shook, Capt. Eric Bosko, and Sheriff Steve Sheldon.

Letters of Appreciation were given to: Deputies James Nicholson, Steve Schivinski, Gary Kiener, Danny Rogers, and Steve Boyd; Sergeants John Nicholson, Matt Mayer, and Mike Viars; Captain Eric Bosko, and Detective Robert Mack.