GULF SHORES, Ala.  – The Gulf Shores Patrol Officer of the Year’s name is not Seymour, but he might be called that from time to time.

“It’s also an officer who has a reputation of being a Seymour – meaning they see more than other officers in many instances,” Police Chief Edward Delmore told the City Council Monday night. “The patrol division of any police department is the backbone of any agency.”

Awarding the Patrolman of the Year was just one order of business for Delmore on Monday. He also announced four promotions within the department and introduced two new officers.

Officer Shawn Andrews saw more than just a passing car as he was on patrol during one shift in 2011.

“The officer who was able to spot a vehicle that was put out in a ‘be on the lookout’ broadcast, what we call a BOLO,” Delmore said. “And stopped that vehicle in what was put out to us as a possible child endangerment case.”

What Andrews found on that stop was horrifying.

“It’s very good that he stopped that car … because when he investigated further, he opened up the trunk of that car and found a three-year-old and a six-year-old child inside the trunk who were disciplined in that way and being transported to another state where they reside. He was able to literally rescue them from that situation.”

It was an eventful year for Andrews. He was also first on the scene to an incident on the beach where a banner plane clipped a parasail rope.

“To say that was a contentious scene and that this officer’s communication skills were put to the test is an understatement,” Delmore said. “There was even some technical talk about whether or not we had the authority to question a pilot. It just so happens that this particular officer had some aviation experience so that argument went away pretty quickly.”

The ability to handle diverse situations, Delmore says, is one of the criteria for earning the honor of Patrolman of the Year.

“To be selected patrol officer of the year one has to be well-rounded,” Delmore said. “It’s not just based on criminal arrests one makes. Certainly not based on how many tickets one writes, contrary to popular belief.

“It’s a person who does a lot of activity and has a good reputation in the community and is a communicator.”

The other significant award for the patrol division is officer of the month. Each month the command staff goes through the nominations and selects that officer.

“Often the officer who gets that award more times a year than any other officer ends up being … patrol officer of the year,” Delmore said.

Additionally, for 2011, Andrews made 94 arrests including five for felony offenses.

In promotions, Greg Bobo was promoted to sergeant and Paul Maliska, Joe Taylor and Mark Russell had their ranks upgraded to corporal.

Delmore also introduced new officers Kristopher Baldner and Seth Headley.

All of the officers were sworn in by Mayor Robert Craft.

“We are truly fortunate to have this staff, this whole group of officers and patrolmen as part of our city and I think that all of us watch in pride the evolution of this department under the leadership that we have here now,” Craft said.

“Congratulations to all of you. And not just the gentlemen here tonight, but the whole department. Thank you.”