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ALBANY, GA -- The Albany Police Department held its annual Christmas Dinner Celebration today.

Members of the Albany PD came together to share food, cheer, and music.

"Our job is constant," said Chief John Proctor. "We don’t stop. We cannot stop. It’s a 24/7, 365 job so this is just to acknowledge the hard work our people put in."

Proctor took the opportunity to present the Commander-in-Chief award to Officers McKinley Windom and Christopher Hutcherson.

In July, the pair foiled an attempted armed robbery at the Family Dollar on West Gordon.

"I was terrified, actually," said Windom. "It’s a very few times that you have a situation that happens like that and people think that we’re not afraid but I was nervous and afraid."

Hutcherson shot one of the suspects during the standoff.

"We did what we had to do," said Hutcherson. "I pretty much feel good about what went on that day."

Proctor said it was right that members of the department share some lighthearted moments during the holidays. But he also praised them for performing their dangerous duties in a time of increased scrutiny and severe understaffing.

"You have to want to be in policing," said Proctor. "You can’t just come here and want to get a paycheck. We had to run overtime. We had to shift command-level people to the street to do work. We did what we had to do to keep this city safe."