Wanting that small town feel led Pam Bowers to return home, but big-time work led to her taking home the 911 Tele-Communicator of the Year award.

This award is given by the Sheriff's Office to the 911 Center employee who shows dedication, loyalty and leadership above and beyond the call of duty.

Bowers, like many young Newberrians, left home and headed for bigger horizons. After graduating from Newberry High in 1993 she graduated from Clemson University.

Her first move out of school was to Greenville, but she went on to live in Upstate New York and Atlanta.

“I missed the small town feel and safety,” said Bowers, who moved back to Newberry just over two years ago.

Having a grandfather who retired from the jail, former Newberry Police Chief Andrew Shealy, as an uncle, her mother Jackie Bowers as clerk of court and a father, Tommy Bowers, who is a volunteer firefighter with Prosperity, Bowers grew up around emergency services. This family background helped make becoming a 911 dispatcher a natural fit for her.

“I like the excitement and challenge. We work as a team, but it can be stressful,” said Bowers. She points out that making sure all the needed agencies have been sent to a scene can sometimes be intense.

“Pam, like the other award winners, was nominated by her peers and selected for this award because of her outstanding efforts in communications. Pam is an excellent 911 tele-communicator, who is extremely professional at all times. She is a very caring, loving person who truly seeks to help her co-workers and the public,” describes Sheriff Lee Foster.

“Pam does an excellent job in communications and is well respected by her peers, emergency service providers, law enforcement, and those who call the 911 center,” Foster said, adding that Bowers is a two-year veteran of the 911 center. “She truly shows the spirit of 911 by exercising care and compassion to every call and caller.”

In addition to working full-time, Bowers is also a student in the new Piedmont Technical College Vet Tech program.

“I have always had dogs and cats and love working with animals,” Bowers said.

When she isn't directing emergency traffic via the airwaves, Bowers also enjoys making crafts, painting, putting together gift baskets and spending time with family and friends.