By Hannah Curran, Editor
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville Police Department was awarded the Law Enforcement Agency of the Year award. Trussville Firefighter received the First Responder Fire Fighter of the Year award at the inaugural Alabama First Responders Association awards dinner on Thursday, March 10, at Birmingham’s historic Fennec entertainment venue.
Police Chief Eric Rush said he did not know that the department was nominated for the award, and he is proud of this accomplishment.
“This department isn’t just about me or about any one person or group of people, it is about all of us working together towards the common goal of serving the citizens of Trussville,” Rush said. “We should all never lose sight of that fact.”
Rush thanked his department for making this department one of the best in the State. He explained that this award could help with the recruitment of new officers and help the image of the department and the city.
“We’re a growing police department, a progressive police department, and we’re being noticed, so it’s kind of a big deal,” Rush said.
Trussville Firefighter Clint Sills received the First Responder Fire Fighter of the Year award, and he stated on a Facebook post that he was honored to be among so many amazing people.
“I was honored to be in the room of so many incredible people,” Sills said. “People from police, constables, fire, military, and first responders. The food, speakers, and live entertainment were a blast. I was so honored to receive the First Responder Fire Fighter of the year award. I am thankful first to God my Savior and second my beautiful family. It was a night to remember.”
Hit country artist Dallas Walker performed during and after the event for the first responders.
In an online statement, Association Executive Director Angela McClure stated that this will be the first event of its kind in Alabama. “It’s time that we recognize and honor all of our First Responders who put their lives on the line every day.”
According to The Alabama First Responders Association website, the Alabama First Responders was formed in late 2019 by a group of Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters. They share a common goal of working together to protect Alabama’s heroes and their jobs. There are over 15,000 Police, Sheriffs, Constables, Firefighters, and Paramedics serving the citizens of Alabama.
The alfirstresponders.org states that “Our heroes need support from citizens, businesses, and Elected Officials. We work for you. Putting First Responders First.”
First responders were honored with awards such as First Responder of the Year, Law Enforcement Agency of the Year, Paramedic of the Year, Emergency Room Nurse or Doctor of the Year, as well as outstanding achievement awards and the First Responder Lifetime achievement award. Additionally, awards were given to outstanding agencies and emergency rooms of the year.
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,” board member of the Alabama First Responders Association, Brett Trimble said.