The Snellville Police Department took home a third place prize at the Georgia Governor’s Challenge awards Wednesday. The event, which honors departments who work to make the state’s roads safer, took place in Macon.

SPD’s award was in Category 3 for departments with 26-50 officers. The department was one of 31 agencies across the state that applied for the honors.

“I appreciate the efforts of the men and women in the department who work each year to keep our streets safe,” said Chief Roy Whitehead.

This is the third year in a row the department took home a prize. SPD has won an award nine of the 16 years the contest has taken place.

Lt. John Tainter, who prepared the application for the SPD, said the department has focused on improving its operations in preventing distracted driving habits of motorists like driving while texting.

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Inventor Lonnie Johnson stands with his Super Soaker water guns at JTEC Energy on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Atlanta. Johnson, a former NASA engineer, is currently working on a new energy technology through his company’s JTEC device that turns thermal heat into usable energy. (Natrice Miller/AJC)