April 9, 2019
Law enforcement is a calling and sometimes following in
one’s footsteps.
Oftentimes family traditions are carried out for generations
and the Levy County Sheriff’s Office is family and we have our own traditions.
Our family is not unique but we do have the best traditions.
Telecommunicator Edna Fuller (911 dispatcher) began her
career with the LCSO on February 19, 1990. She has answered almost every type
of call imaginable during her career. In addition to being the most tenured in
the Telecommunications Division she is also a sworn deputy sheriff. Edna
elected to be the “calm voice in the night,” and help our citizens in crisis by
ensuring the right resources were sent to the people in need.
Edna retired from the LCSO on November 20, 2014 with all of
the fanfare one could imagine to honor her esteemed career. Edna spent her
short lived retirement days with her grandchildren and enjoying her favorite
past-time, fishing. But, how much fishing can one lady do? About a year and a
half and then she came back to work. She rejoined the Communications Division
on February 1, 2016 in a part time status doing what she loved for so many
years, answering the calls for those in need.
Edna didn’t just return empty handed, she had fostered the
love for telecommunications within her own family. We are certain had a big
hand in directing her own granddaughter, Samantha Gilliard, into joining the
LCSO team.
Samantha joined the LCSO Telecommunications Division on
August 31, 2015. Samantha is currently assigned to the Alpha shift nights. She
too is “the calm voice in the night,” and has excelled in this position following
her grandmother’s footprints.
Telecommunications Division Supervisor Donna Capps had the
following to say about her experiences with Edna and Samantha:
“I have worked with Edna Fuller since 1995 and I admired her
knowledge and passion for this career. I recall watching her perform her duties
as a Telecommunicator and witnessed her quickly switch roles no matter the need
of the caller.
Mrs. Capps continued by saying, “Over the years of working
together, I’ve listened to stories about her family. Soon, her family became a
familiar part of our Sheriff’s Office family; it felt as though they were an
extension of our family as well. They
cooked family dinners on holidays, but also remembered their family members at
the Sheriff’s Office, often delivering meals to the telecommunicators who were
on duty during the holiday times.
“I recall Edna telling us stories about their family
gatherings, and one particular granddaughter taking interest in our work. She
would tell us how she was constantly questioned about what she did at work. In 2015 I finally met this granddaughter,
Samantha Gilliard.”
Samantha had recently moved from Georgia to be closer to her
mother and grandmother, Edna. Soon
Samantha became a part of our work family and it was apparent she was “A chip
off of the old block”. Her passion and
deep commitment to the Levy County Citizens was immediately evident and undeniable.
Both of these ladies share this same trait.
Sheriff McCallum said we at the Sheriff’s Office and most
importantly our citizens have been and continue to be blessed by the
dedication, work ethic and caring attitude of these two wonderful employees.
Thank you to this grandmother and granddaughter team for the exceptional job
you both do each and every day.