ATLANTA - Sgt. 1st Class G.R. Harper, commander of Georgia State Patrol Post 6 in Gainesville, was among those honored at the 2015 Georgia Department of Public Safety Awards Ceremony held Wednesday.
Harper received the Commissioner's Commendation for Law Enforcement Excellence from Col. Mark McDonough.
The Commissioner’s Commendation for Law Enforcement Excellence is presented to a member of the department who displays exceptional alertness, devotion to duty or law enforcement skill and ability while effecting an arrest; or performs an act in the line of duty that reflects great credit upon the member and the department.
In honoring Harper, the department noted that on July 15, Post 6 troopers were involved in a vehicle pursuit in Hall County that ended with the offender abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot after two collisions with patrol vehicles.
"An exhaustive search was unable to locate the violator," according to DPS. "An inventory of the vehicle revealed numerous boxes of ammunition, ballistic body armor, multiple edged weapons, over 90 grams of suspected methamphetamine and various drug paraphernalia. During the immediate investigation, the suspect was identified as having outstanding felony warrants in DeKalb and Gwinnett Counties with a history of violent crime."
The suspect was identified as Ryan Hovey, 28, whose last known address was Buford.
For eight days, Harper worked to gather intelligence and track the suspect’s known associates and surveil locations he was known to frequent.
Harper continually worked to gather tips and information, working with Braselton Police Department, DeKalb County Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office, Gwinnett County Police Department, and Hall County Sheriff's Office.
"Harper searched and monitored the suspect's social media accounts and identified a close female associate," according to DPS. "He then went through proper channels and was able to obtain the associate’s location through the use of her cell phone. Harper led a team to her location, where she was located, questioned, and subsequently arrested on unrelated charges."
As a result of Harper's work in locating the woman and questioning her, Hovey's location in Suwanee was discovered. He was arrested in a felony traffic stop as he attempted to leave that location.
As commander of Post 6 in Gainesville, Harper oversees patrols and other GSP operations in Hall, White and Banks counties.
