Whisman named LCSO Employee of the Month for May 2025

Liberty County Sheriff’s Deputy A. Whisman has been selected by Sheriff Bobby Rader as the Employee of the Month for May 2025.

On April 16, 2025, Liberty County Sheriff’s Deputy A. Whisman was headed home from an extra job when he observed a vehicle occupied by a male driver who was driving erratically. Deputy Whisman conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle for the traffic violation.

Upon contacting the driver and only occupant of the vehicle, Deputy Whisman could tell that the driver was very emotional and appeared to be distressed, so he asked the driver if he was okay.

The driver began speaking with Deputy Whisman and explained that he had just retired from the military after serving for 22 years. He then told Deputy Whisman that his wife of 19 years had just left him, and that he was having a very bad night—to the point that he was planning on taking his own life when he got home.

Deputy Whisman sat on the side of the road and spoke with the man for several minutes to help him take a different path. By the end of the conversation, the man looked at Deputy Whisman and told him that he was his “saving angel.” The man also said that had it not been for Deputy Whisman’s kindness and compassion during such a difficult time, he would have gone home and carried out his plans of ending his life.

The morning after the stop, Deputy Whisman was informed by his lieutenant that the man from the traffic stop had brought him a gift and a note. The man gave Deputy Whisman an official U.S. Naval True North Compass that was presented to him at his last post as Chief. The note reads as follows:

Austin,
Sometimes when we’re fighting demons, God sends us help. I was in a hurry to complete a mission, but you stopped me and lent a kind ear.
You treated me with compassion, dignity, and respect.
PoPo get a bad rap these days… but you’re the kind we need!
Please accept this coin as a small token of gratitude.
God Bless