Douglasville Police Department representatives at the Heroes Recognition ceremony last week included, from left, honorees Sandy Shiner and Amy Belcher, Deputy Police Chief Gary Sparks and honoree Robert Long.
This year’s Heroes Recognition luncheon on Oct. 16 honored members of the Douglasville Police Department, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, the Douglas County Fire Department and Douglas County E-911.
Chamber Chairman Alan Smith expressed “gratitude and compassion to those who provide service in our community.”
“You are all heroes to us,” he told a crowd at the luncheon at the Downtown Douglasville Conference Center.
Kali Boatright, president of the Douglas County Chamber, said the Heroes Recognition event began around 2006 at the suggestion of one of then-chamber diplomat Michelle Volk.
The selection process has varied over the years, she said, based on the public service agencies’ own philosophy of singling out just one individual or the manner in which they choose to decide.
As a result, some agencies select several honorees and some narrow it down to one each year.
E-911 director Greg Whitaker joked, “911 never gets recognized.”
“These folks go unrecognized,” said Boatright. “You just don’t think of them until they are needed.”
She added, “This it why it is so important to recognize them for all they do and keep us safe, which is also very important for our businesses.”
Randy Edwards, CEO of American Red Cross Blood Services, which sponsored the luncheon, said he was honored to recognize the local leadership for community safety, fire safety and community service.
“Thanks to everyone who represents the organizations you serve,” he said.
Representatives of their respective agencies recognized included:
- Douglasville Police Department: Sandy Shiner, Robert Long and Amy Belcher.
- Douglas County Sheriff’s Department: Ann Rice.
- Douglas County Fire Department: Cory Shelton, Michael Richardson, Sherry Yearta, Sharon Davis, Steve Pope, Judy Vaughn, Kim Ransom and Jason Milhollin.
- E-911: Teena Donnell, Debra Gross, Charlotte Rook, Daisy Millsap, Ricky Grainger, Becky Turner and Jennifer Carter.
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