DeKalb County First Responders To Receive $3K One-Time Bonus

DECATUR, GA — First responders in DeKalb County will receive a $3,000 bonus for their "selfless service" and commitment to serving the community after the County Board of Commissioners approved the measure on Tuesday.

The bonus will be paid out primarily of a $6.2 million allocation from the total $147.5 million that the county received in American Rescue Plan funding, county officials announced in a news release.

The Protect and Serve Retention bonus will be paid to public safety employees, including police officers, E-911 employees, medical examiner investigators, sheriff’s deputies, district attorney’s investigators, state and juvenile probation officers and others, county officials said in a news release.

The Commissioners approved the one-time bonus, which was proposed by county CEO Michael Thurmond.

“DeKalb’s public safety team is the front line of our ongoing efforts to quell violent crime in the county,” Thurmond said in a news release announcing the bonuses. “This bonus is evidence of DeKalb County’s appreciation for their selfless service, dedication and commitment to protecting and serving our residents.”

Board of Commissioners Presiding Officer Steve Bradshaw agreed.

“It is imperative that we demonstrate our support for these brave and dedicated men and women who keep us safe with more than just our words, but also with tangible action,” Bradshaw said in a statement.