An annual recognition falls on this week to celebrate those who may be overlooked, especially as the news cycle is dominated by COVID-19.

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week celebrates dispatchers, and while the Guthrie County staff don’t wish to toot their own horns too much, celebrations are subdued this year as the Guthrie County Courthouse where they are housed is closed to the public. Chuck Cleveland, the longest serving of the County’s eight full and part-time dispatchers, says some organizations and businesses have either mailed them well-wishes or dropped off gifts, but with COVID-19 altering normal life he’s postponed plans to celebrate with his staff.

Though it’s a demanding job with shifts around the clock, Cleveland says he’s been a dispatcher for over 20 years to serve the public, “Be something that makes a difference, be part of a group that makes a difference, you know I like working with the officers, we’ve got a good group of officers there. It all comes down to, you want to make a difference, you hope that you make a difference and I think where I’m at, at least I hope that we get that done.”

Guthrie County Dispatch Staff:

Chuck Cleveland – 1999 FT
Amy Cleveland – 2012 FT
Paula Martinson – 2012 FT
Denise Reno – 2014 FT
Alex Olsen – 2014 PT
Tricia Small – 2016 PT
Josie Cable – 2019 PT
Breanna Barker – 2019 PT