Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield was recently recognized as the Southwest Mississippi Rural Health Coalition Public Official of the Year for 2009. The coalition annually recognizes the public official who contributes the most to his community. “I was shocked and humbled (to receive the award),” Mayfield said. The presentation took place on Wednesday in Natchez and was followed by lunch at the Eola Hotel with the sheriff’s wife and administrative assistant Maj. Debbie Gee. According to Coalition Director Dr. J.R. Johnson, Mayfield uses a common sense approach to addressing community issues involving safety issues, such as enforcing drug laws, which impact the quality of life in communities, according to a Southwest Mississippi Rural Health Coalition press release.