Even with the accolades and honors piling up for Hall County Sheriff Steve Cronic, speculation persisted as to whether the two-term Republican would run for re-election next year.

With his noncommittal answers to the question in recent months, Cronic kept people guessing about his future in local law enforcement.

On Thursday, after being named the Georgia Sheriffs' Association's Sheriff of the Year, Cronic publicly ended the speculation in answering a reporter's question following the ceremony.

"The truth of the matter is it took a while to make that decision," said Cronic, who cited the personal sacrifices made by his family as the main consideration. "Through a lot of prayer, we decided that we will be asking the citizens to give us another four years, and I hope and pray they will."

Thursday's gathering of about two-thirds of the state's 159 sheriffs was filled with praise for Cronic, who oversaw state and national accreditation of the office and ramped up the agency's programs for youth, among a host of other initiatives.

"What he has done for Hall County is unreal," said White County Sheriff Neal Walden, the outgoing Sheriffs' Association president who presented the award. "Steve has been good for Hall County and good for the surrounding counties."

Forysth County Sheriff Ted Paxton, who like Cronic took office in 2001, called Cronic an "innovator" and one of the new generation of sheriffs in Georgia who are "coming on board to raise the bar to the highest level of professionalism you can offer."

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, the event's keynote speaker, said Cronic was "a person who genuinely cares about his family and his community. He gives so much of his time."

Cronic said Thursday's recognition was second only to his election to office as a high point in his law enforcement career.

"As far as honors in my professional life, first is the citizens of this good county finding me worthy of doing this job, and the next is being recognized by my peers," Cronic said.

The sheriff credited his employees for the honor.

"As a sheriff, it's my job to make promises, but it's the men and women of the sheriff's office who keep those promises."

Another Hall County Sheriff's employee got a standing ovation Thursday at the dinner, held at the Lake Lanier Islands Emerald Pointe conference center.

Mark Thomason, an agent with the Hall County Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad, was presented with the association's 2007 Award of Valor. Thomason, a 10-year veteran of the agency, was struck and severely injured by the car of a fleeing drug suspect. After sustaining serious leg injuries, Thomason was back on the job within months and corralled dozens of suspects running from a gambling raid while using a walking cane.

"Even though he was recuperating from his injuries, he again placed himself in peril without thought of his own personal safety," said Cronic, who called the deputy's acts "unselfish."

Thomason said the recognition was "a great honor."

"These are few and far between," he said.

Contact: sgurr@gainesvilletimes.com, (770) 718-3428.