Auburn, Ala. - The Auburn Police Department is proud to recognize the recent promotions of Detective Joseph Ellison, Officer Matthew George and Detective Terry "TJ" White to the rank of sergeant, effective May 2024.

Joseph Ellison has been promoted to the rank of sergeant (SGT).

Sergeant Ellison served in the United States Marine Corps from 1997 to 2001. He has dedicated nearly thirteen years to working in law enforcement, ten of which have been with the Auburn Police Department.

He is a certified fraud examiner and a certified financial crimes specialist. Sgt. Ellison is a TASER instructor, CRASE instructor, active attack incident response instructor and regularly presents crime prevention and awareness classes in the community.

Sgt. Ellison and his wife, Wendy, are the proud parents to five children and grandparents to two grandchildren.

Matthew George has been promoted to the rank of sergeant (SGT).

Sergeant George began his career with the Auburn Police Department as a patrol officer in June 2021. He was previously employed by the Notasulga Police Department from 2019 to 2021. Sgt. George is a traffic homicide investigator, field training officer, honor guard member (bagpiper) and drone pilot for the Auburn Police Department. He is also a member of the Alabama Law Enforcement Memorial Pipes and Drums.

Sgt. George obtained a bachelor's degree in wildlife ecology and management from Auburn University in 2017.

Terry White has been promoted to the rank of sergeant (SGT).

Sergeant White began his career with the Auburn Police Department as a patrol officer in March 2008. He served as a bike patrol officer from 2012 to 2014 and was promoted to detective in Oct. 2016.

Sgt. White was assigned to the Auburn Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) from 2017 to 2020 and assigned to the U.S. Marshals – Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force in 2022. He is also an AXON virtual reality trainer and a crisis/hostage negotiator for the Auburn Police Department.

Sgt. White graduated from Beauregard High School. He and his wife, Amber, are the proud parents to five children.