Communications Dispatcher Jenny Mathias was selected the 2020 Dispatcher of the Year for the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office.

She was chosen based on her expertise to help locate two abducted children, to handle the pursuit of a wanted suspect and her overall work ethic, said Communications Lt. Candi McCluskey.

Mathias received a tip Aug. 31 about the location of two missing children from Eagleville, who were allegedly taken by their non-custodial mother to Morehead City, N.C.

She contacted Carteret County Sheriff's Office in North Carolina whose officers located the children and their mother who was taken into custody.

"Jenny went above and beyond to bring these two young children home safely," McCluskey said. 

In another case, sheriff's deputies were attempting to apprehend a wanted man driving a stolen vehicle July 28. A pursuit ensued.

"Jenny was assigned to the radio at the time and calmly maintained control of the situation," McCluskey said. "She followed the RCSO units via maps and other resources for approximately 30 minutes until the suspect entered Cannon County, where units finally lost the suspect again. The information was passed to surrounding counties, and the suspect was later apprehended in DeKalb County."

Mathias works with the Senior Citizens Awareness Network where she maintains entries about every SCAN member. 

She serves as a certified training officer for new dispatchers.

"Jenny has never hesitated to volunteer to come in on either of her days off, and she will even change shifts as necessary," McCluskey said.

She volunteers for other tasks.

Mathias provides the annual Santa Tracker information every Christmas Eve on the radio for children throughout the county to know when Santa should arrive at their home. 

She also broadcast the "Last Call for Duty" at a deputy's funeral.

Photo: Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh recognizes Dispatcher Jenny Mathias as Sheriff's 2020 Dispatcher of the Year. At left is Communications Lt. Candi McCluskey.