Wednesday, April 18, 2001
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Wednesday, April 18, 2001 |
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Police, fire and emergency service personnel honored By JANET
McGREGOR
Eight outstanding Fayette County police, fire and emergency service personnel were honored by their peers, family members and friends last week at the third annual American Legion Post 105 Public Safety Recognition Awards. The dinner and awards presentation by Legion members honors individuals selected by their respective departments. Some were selected by vote of their fellow officers, others by their superiors. Greg Dunn, Fayette County Commission chairman and sergeant-at-arms for Post 105, again chaired and emceed the event. During his opening comments he noted, "The number one contributing factor to our quality of life is the outstanding public safety services in Fayette County and our cities. No matter how beautiful a house you live in or how well your children perform in our top quality schools, if you do not feel safe in that home or feel your children are safe in their schools, your quality of life is simply not the best." Sgt. Tom Brenna with the Fayette County Sheriff's Office and Sgt. Ron Wyatt with the Jail Division of the Sheriff's Office were selected for the award by their peers. Brenna began working for the office in 1989. In 1990 he transferred from the Jail Division to the Crime Scene Unit. He continued his education, graduating from the Police Academy in 1991, attaining his state certification as an Identification Technician in 1992, as a Field Training Officer in 1994 and finally, in 1998 he returned to college, earning an associates degree in criminal justice from Georgia Military College. He was promoted to corporal in 1994, the same year he was appointed to the Special Enforcement Team. In 1995 he was promoted to sergeant, and has served as division coordinator for the Field Training Program since 1996. He noted, "I intend to stay within the Uniform Patrol Division, as I truly enjoy working within the county, interacting with our citizens. I hope to one day retire from this agency after a long career here in Fayette County." Wyatt joined the department in 1989. Originally from West Virginia, he served three years in the U.S. Army, then worked as a cable man for 22 years. During the past year, Wyatt responded to three separate emergencies within the jail, performing CPR in two cases. In each incident, after a review, it was found that Wyatt's actions were "textbook" and that he had "performed his duties to a high degree," according to documentation provided by the Sheriff's Office. Detective Bob Bautista was selected to receive the award by the Fayetteville Police Department. Bautista served in the U.S. Army for 16 years, retiring in 1993 as a major. He received numerous medals to include the National Defense Service medal, expert infantryman badge, Vietnam Service medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Air Assault Badge and Parachutist Badge. During his five years with the Fayetteville Police Department he has been given commendations for his outstanding performance and dedication. Chief Johnny Roberts noted in the award documentation that, "Detective Bautista projects a high level of enthusiasm and initiative in all aspects of his career." He was also commended for his impeccable work ethic, and his total commitment and loyalty to the organization. Roberts also said, "His integrity and honesty never fails in gaining the respect of all whom he comes in contact with." The city of Fayetteville Fire Department selected Lt. Keith Harris to receive the award. Harris has been with the Fire Department for 11 years. During his career he has obtained numerous training certifications including Emergency Medical Technician, Hazardous Materials Technician, fire officer level II and in-service training instructor. Fire Chief Alan Jones spoke highly of Harris. He shared that, "Like most firefighters working a 24-hour shift, Lt. Harris worked a second job to supplement his income and support his family. When the department needed a new training officer, he was immediately identified as the first choice. Lt. Harris chose to come off his 24-hour shift to fulfill this role." Harris took the position knowing the change in duties and his work schedule would significantly reduce the amount of time he was able to devote to his business. The Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services recommended rookie firefighter Kenneth Doyal for the distinctive honor. Department director Chief Jack Krakeel noted, "In spite of his brief tenure, he represents those characteristics and commitment to his chosen profession that our nation has come to expect of those who dedicate their lives to saving the lives of those in need." Doyal, employed by the Fire Department in September of 2000, underwent 14 weeks of rigorous training along with 15 other new recruits. The day after his graduation, while going home with his fiancé to Henry County, Doyal saw what appeared to be a house fire from I-75. He turned off, arriving at the scene before fire fighting crews arrived, and learned that an older person was trapped inside. He entered the burning building at great risk to himself, located an elderly man and brought him out of the home. "Kenneth's unselfish actions represent every firefighter's commitment to the protection of life," said Krakeel. Dunn quipped to Deputy Chief Tom Bartlett, on-hand to present Doyal's award, that Doyal was definitely a "keeper!" Deputy Marshal Warren Chamberlin was chosen for the honor by the Fayette County Marshal's Office. Chamberlin has worked in public safety for ten years and has been with the Marshal's Office for three years. In addition to his duties he is a member of the Fayette County Safe Kids Coalition, the Fayette County Risk Watch Team and is a Georgia hunter safety education instructor. Chief Marshal Butch Hall stated, "Warren Chamberlin will go out of his way to help someone in need. He is very active in preventing child-related injuries. He volunteers his personal time in teaching at elementary schools on child safety issues." Chamberlin is a Civil War re-enactor and was the 2000 Deputy Marshal of the Year. Volunteer firefighter Eddie Ferguson has been working with the Peachtree City Fire Department for 18 years. He is a nationally certified Firefighter II, Apparatus Engineer, a rescue and Jaws of Life instructor, a boat master on the Water Rescue Team, and a member of the Hazardous Materials Response Team. Chief Stony Lohr spoke highly of Ferguson. Lohr, the 2000 Legion Award recipient, noted, "Eddie is a person who shies away from the limelight. He just continues to work to make sure the right things get done at the right place at the right time." Ferguson founded Fire and Rescue Explorer Post 209. The post has grown from 12 members to 20 members under his guidance and has earned the BSA Quality Unit Award every year since 1988, a first place Award Ribbon at every Scout show since 1989 and the Best Explorer Post of the 1995 Fayette District Scout Show. Ferguson lists "Web site designer" as one of his hobbies. The Explorer Post Web site he designed earned the Public Safety Net Award of Excellence, the 1998 Emergency Concepts Award of Excellence and the Poudre EMS Award of Excellence. He serves as the District Exploring Committee chairman, Fayette County coordinator for the Amateur Radio Emergency Services, and the Fayette County coordinator for the National Weather Service Storm Watchers. Many Fridays and Saturdays, Ferguson can be found providing on-site first responder coverage for the football team at McIntosh High School. The Peachtree City Police Department nominated Cpl. Heather Horne to be its award recipient. Horne has been with the department for three years, graduating from the Police Academy in 1997. She has earned numerous certifications including School Resource Officer certification and Child Seat Specialist certification. In 1998 she was named employee of the month for outstanding service when responding to a call involving a heart attack victim. She received the 1999 PTC Police Department Community Service Achievement Award and is an instructor for the Fayette County SUPER Program. The program is a requirement for students who have been charged with drug or alcohol offenses. She developed the emergency management plan for Booth Middle School and the Junior Police Academy after-school program in 2000. The Junior Police Academy was the second in Georgia at the time it was begun. The program consists of 10-week sessions that include activities such as radar operation, conflict resolution, search and seizure, drug and alcohol awareness and fingerprinting. Horne is the coordinator and the instructor for the program and has devoted many after-work hours to make the program a success.
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