JCDC Captain is Named Corrections Officer of the Year
Published on May 18, 2021
Jackson County is proud of all its outstanding associates, especially those that display a commitment to public service even in a challenging environment. One such officer was recently recognized by his peers and professional organizations as the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association Corrections Officer of the Year.
Captain Felix Shoga with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office received the award at the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association Jail Administrators Conference on May 12, 2021. He was nominated by his peers and superior officers at the Jackson County Detention Center for “demonstrating a commitment to maintaining accountability throughout the facility through building up staff with knowledge and training. He has been a positive example of what going ‘above and beyond’ can look like in the face of a global pandemic.”
Before his promotion to captain in March 2021, Lieutenant Shoga was assigned to the JCDC’s Training Unit, where he quickly began improving the use of technology within the Unit, standardizing presentations and documentation, and improving the “customer experience” for those attending training. When the pandemic upended routines and procedures within the jail, Lt. Shoga adapted and modified training for the staff as much as possible, and worked with outside agencies to support and enhance training opportunities. One much-needed class offered was the “Resiliency During COVID-19” training to help staff cope with the particular challenges of working in the jail during the pandemic.
Lt. Shoga helped the facility and his team in many other ways during the crisis. He improved the process of procuring staff uniforms, orchestrated morale-building birthday celebrations, and identified opportunities to improve communications and data tracking through available technology. He also filled in as a Firearms Range Safety Officer and worked additional shifts within the facility to keep operations running smoothly during staffing shortages.
Jackson County Department of Corrections Director Diana Turner said, “Captain Shoga has exemplified the professionalism and dedication to duty that will take our department forward to execute on Sheriff Forte’s vision that we become a premiere corrections agency. His efforts have had a direct result on the number of staff who have sought, and achieved, accreditation through the American Jail Association and now proudly wear the signifying stripes of a Master Corrections Officer. This honor is well-deserved and we are grateful that he was chosen to represent the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and our hard working colleagues in uniform throughout the State of Missouri. “
Captain Shoga was typically humble in his reaction to this honor. “Honestly, I feel super humbled to be the considered choice in the entire State of Missouri…I must say though that I was only the face of the award as I have been blessed with the greatest TEAM you will ever have and I am proud to say that,” he said. “I would like to individually challenge each and everyone of us in Jackson County especially my JCDC family to be the best you can possibly be every minute, every moment, every day. That way when it's all said and done, looking back you'll have absolutely no regrets regarding anything at all. That has always been my outlook about life and attitude towards any situation generally. “
Jackson County is proud of the accomplishments of Captain Felix Shoga, and grateful for his service to the Jackson County Detention Center and our community.