IONA, MI - Eric Jones of Lansing was named the Michigan Department of Corrections' officer of the year Wednesday at a reception at Michigan State University's Kellogg Center.

Jones, 42, has worked at the Deerfield Correctional Facility in Ionia for nearly three years. He is a former public safety officer for Lansing schools and a former counselor at Highfields school.

He said he tries to be fair and firm and treat everybody like he would want to be treated.

"I command respect from inmates, and I give them respect, too," he said.