Cartee Earns Top Award
Chief of detectives receives PBA Member of Year honor

By Lionel Green

originally printed in the

Sand Mountain Report on Saturday, October 25, 2008

Albertville chief of detectives J.T. 'Butch' Cartee, left, accepts the Alabama Police Benevolent Association 2008 Member of the Year plaque from Alabama Division President Donald Scott on October 18 in Orange Beach.

An Albertville officer was honored as the Alabama Police Benevolent Association 2008 Member of the Year.

J.T. “Butch” Cartee received the award during a board meeting in Orange Beach on October 18th. Cartee is chief of detectives for the Albertville Police Department.

The award recognizes Cartee’s dedication to the Alabama Division and Northeast Alabama Chapter of the police service organization, as well as his commitment to the group’s membership, his community and profession.

Alabama PBA is a division of Southern States PBA, an association that provides legal and legislative representation and family death benefits for members.

Cartee is a 21-year veteran of the department and has been a PBA member since 1990. He’s serving his third term as vice president of the Alabama Division and is also president of the Northeast Alabama Chapter, which covers three counties.

Alabama Division President Donald Scott, a Mobile police officer, praised Cartee, saying the Albertville detective provided “outstanding leadership in the last year involving political affairs and community involvement.”

Scott also complimented Cartee’s ability “in taking care of the business of the membership and ensuring members are being served.”

“I’ve known Butch probably 10 years now,” Scott said. “He’s a very respected gentleman. It’s been my pleasure to have him as a comrade and as a friend. He gives balance to the board with his counsel.”

Cartee said he is “flattered’ and hopes the recognition will shine more light on the local PBA chapter here.

“When your peers honor you that means a lot,” said Cartee. “Thant’s touching. Who know you best but the person that works with you.”

Follow Albertville detective and PBA member Mike Rice said Cartee is “very conscientious and thorough. He covers a wide area. He gets calls all the time. He’s there for you. He even provides a place for the meetings.”

Cartee joined PBA at the urging of his friend, the late Andy Whitten, an Albertville detective killed in 1995.

“After I became a police officer, I felt like I needed to get more involved in the direction law enforcement is going,” Cartee said. “Andy Whitten, my best friend, came back and told us about this organization.”

Cartee was one of the more outspoken officers during the big pay raise controversy last fall that ended with most public safety personnel receiving a 10 percent wage increase.

“This is an organization about the little man … the officer in the street,” Cartee said.

“It’s an advocate for law enforcement. I’ve always liked to stand up for the underdog. That’s why I stay in law enforcement. We all want to be an advocate for people.”

Cartee said PBA is a service organization, which stresses “service.” He said about 75 percent of Albertville Police Department employees are members. The Northeast Alabama Chapter averages about 150 members and includes personnel from Marshall DeKalb and Jackson counties, he said.

Cartee said PBA “takes care” of its members by providing attorneys when personnel are involved in accidents, shootings or disciplinary hearings.

PBA also screens and endorses political candidates. Cartee said 21 of the 22 people running in Albertville’s mayor and city council races this year participated in PBA screenings.

“We don’t do negative ads,” Cartee said. “We don’t make negative phone calls. We just endorse.”

The local chapter meets every second Tuesday of every month. Dues are $23.50 per month.

“It’s a wonderful organization,” Cartee said. “I can’t see why an officer is not a member.”

Cartee also mentioned the Police Benevolent Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by Southern States PBA in 2005.

Donations are 100 percent tax-deductible with proceeds helping fund legal costs, scholarships and disaster relief for officers and their families.