Pickens County recognizes employees for emergency response after recycling‑center death; honors longtime staff

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners recognized long‑serving staff and publicly thanked employees who acted during a January medical emergency at the county recycling center.

The board honored a tax assessor's office employee for 10 years of service and Stephanie Gooch for 30 years of service; colleagues offered remarks and presented pins. "Thank you for 30 years," one commissioner said, and staff members recounted the colleagues' contributions.

Separately, the chair described an incident in January when a resident delivering trash to the county recycling center exited his vehicle, collapsed and later died. Two employees — Peyton Couch and Brad Benson — immediately attempted aid. "They immediately did all that they could to try to save that individual," the chair said, and staff publicly recognized the two employees along with others who assisted, including Kenny Woodard and Michael Shore.

County leaders said, out of respect for the family, they would not provide identifying details in the public meeting and encouraged additional medical training for staff who may encounter similar events. Certificates and photographs were presented during the meeting.

No changes to county operations or formal policy were announced at the meeting as a result of the incident; the board asked staff to consider training needs going forward.