Meth Arrests Lead to Honors for Suwanee Police

Suwanee Police Chief Mike Jones gave out his annual awards last week, and the department's account of an incident handled by two recipients shows what officers sometimes have to go through.

Cpl. Susan Roetzer and officer Michael Troutman were honored, among other things, for their work involving the suspected sale and possession of methamphetamine at a motel on Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road in the Gateway area in March, according to police records. The investigation eventually involved the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Gwinnett Police K-9 unit.

According to police records, Troutman responded to a report of suspected drug activity at 3:42 a.m.; a complainant had said that two men "requesting or wanting to sell methamphetamine" had approached her, and that they were associated with a tractor-trailer truck in the motel's parking lot.

The complainant "was disturbed by vapors coming from the containers" that the men had -- plastic bottles with tubes in them and a clear "mason" jar which both contained a clear liquid and a white substance, according to the police report. The vapors were "something really bad," records show.

Troutman proceeded to the room, which  had the drapes only partially drawn. Though a mirror in the room, the officer could see "several white plastic bags" on the floor and on a small table, the report says. The officer also observed a syringe on the television, and he knew the syringe to be the type associated with use of methamphetamine and other drugs.

The suspect later allowed Troutman in the room but denied knowledge of any drugs, the report shows. Later, Roetzer arrived and found additional items (propane canister, syringes) that are associated with methamphetamine use.

The tractor-trailer in the parking lot was searched, and an occupant was found "feigning sleep," the report says. Officers also found liquid acetone and methamphetamine in the truck. In all, eight ounces of meth were found in the room and 2 grams in the truck, records show.

Among the items found in the room was a handwritten poem indicating "frustration with being a drug addict," the report says.

The suspects later were turned over to Gwinnett sheriff's deputies and booked into the county detention center.

In all, 12 awards were given out to various officers and civilians in the Suwanee department. The winners:

Merit Awards: Capt. Clyde Byers; Lt. Dan Clark; Officer Elton Hassell; Cpl. Susan Roetzer; Officer Robert Stewart; Officer Michael Troutman.

Chief's Award: Sgt. Nick Jacobs; Sgt. Robert Thompson.

Top Gun: Sgt. Nick Jacobs.

Civilian of the Year: Gwen Franklin

Officer of the Year: Officer Kevin Skinner.

Hardin Watkins Star Award: Lt. Dan Clark.