FROM ALABAMA FIRST RESPONDERS
Birmingham, AL – The Alabama First Responders Association held their first annual awards dinner in Birmingham on Thursday evening. Former White House Advisor Dr. Sebastian Gorka was the guest speaker.
The event began with a prayer by Constable Jonathan Barbee and a moment of silence for fallen First Responders. Attorney General Steve Marshall sent a special welcome video message thanking first responders and honoring the sacrifices they make each day.
Dr. Gorka read a letter written by a first responder to him over a year ago. The letter explained the challenges of being a first responder or law enforcement officer in today’s society. He followed up with encouraging words and stories from his time serving in the White House. In his final words, Dr. Gorka paused and gave a sincere thank you to everyone in the room for the difficult jobs they do everyday.
“Our event was very successful. We wanted this evening to be a celebration for First Responders and recognize them for their commitment to their job and their communities. Dr. Gorka was an incredible speaker and he inspired so many of our first responders to continue saving lives and helping people,” says Angela McClure, Executive Director.
There were 12 awards given to the best in each category. Awards were presented by Angela McClure and board member Brett Trimble. The two top awards were presented by Perry O. Hooper, Jr. in honor of his father, the late Alabama Chief Justice Perry Hooper, Sr. The winners are as follows:
The Chief Justice Perry Hooper, Sr. – Lifetime of Outstanding Service and Excellence in Leadership Award – Sheriff Sid Lockhart – Chambers County
The Chief Justice Perry Hooper, Sr. Lifetime of Outstanding Service and Excellence in Law Enforcement Award – Constable Jonathan Barbee – Jefferson County –
Law Enforcement Officer of the Year – Deputy Danielle Eaton – Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office- Firefighter of the Year – Clint Sills – Trussville Fire Department
EMT of the Year – Arwen McGauley – Blount EMT
Outstanding Community Service Award – Deputy William Nolen – Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Excellence in Law Enforcement and Community Service Award – Constable Robert Colvert, III – Jefferson County.
Outstanding Community Service Award – Deputy Constable Joanne Sellers Barbee – Jefferson County.
Lifetime of Service Memorial Award – Special Agent K-9 Faust – BNSF Railroad Police.
Excellence in Law Enforcement Award – Senior Special Agent Bryan Schaffer – BNSF Railroad Police.
Excellence in Community Service Award – Sheriff Mark Pettway – Jefferson County.
Law Enforcement Agency of the Year – Trussville Police Department – Chief Eric Rush
“We are proud of our award winners this evening. These awards were well-deserved and we look forward to presenting awards to outstanding first responders next year,” says Brett Trimble, board member of the Alabama First Responders Association.
The Alabama First Responders Association was formed as a group of concerned first responders who saw the need to protect jobs, provide training and education, and be a voice for all first responders in Montgomery. This was the first event put on by the group. In the near future, the Alabama First Responders Association will be working with organizations to provide training and resources for first responders and departments across the state.
You can learn more and view pictures from the event on the Alabama First Responders Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/ALFirstResponders
or visit their website at www.ALFirstResponders.org
