Crime & Safety

Gwinnett Police Officers, Firemen to the Rescue

Gwinnett Chamber awards Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals of Valor for acts of bravery. Duluth Police Department retiree Bill Stevens receives Public Safety Leadership Award.

The Gwinnett Chamber honored public safety professionals for bravery and community service during the annual Valor Awards ceremony.

The Gold Medal of Valor, the highest award for bravery and heroism, was presented to Gwinnett County Police Officer Joshua J. Smith.

Cpl. Jason Ayers, Officer James Harkins, Officer Candler Horton, Sergeant Brad Ingalls, Officer Tom Novak, and Officer Todd Ramsey with the Gwinnett County Police Department received the Silver Medal of Valor.

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The Bronze Medal of Valor was earned by Lt. John Poe, Driver Engineer Lanny Britt, Firefighter Paul Thompson, Driver Engineer Eric Jensen, Firefighter Robert Atcheson, and Firefighter Alan Krieg with Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services. 

Visit www.valorawards.com to view their nomination videos. Winners and runners-up are listed on the site.

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Snellville Police Department Officer Neil Bullock received the Lifesaving Award, which recognizes action taken when an individual’s life is in jeopardy.

Bill Stevens, recently retired from the Duluth Police Department, was given the Public Safety Leadership Award. This award honors senior public safety professionals who have performed their jobs with exceptional skill and expertise and show innovation in leadership and team building. 

The Medal of Merit, which recognizes an outstanding community public safety program, was awarded to the Juvenile Firesetter Prevention Program of Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services.

The Gwinnett County Police Department’s Central Precinct Day Watch was named the Public Safety Unit of the Year.

Officer Sr. Justin Richey with the Gwinnett County Police Department was recognized as Public Safety Person of the Year.

Andrea Goins was named Communications Officer of the Year.

The Valor Awards is part of a series of Gwinnett Chamber programs designed to recognize those who contribute to Gwinnett’s quality of life and create an environment conducive to business growth.

Mobile Communications of Gwinnett Inc. and Motorola Solutions Inc. sponsored the event March 22 at the Hilton Atlanta Northeast in Norcross.

Source: Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce


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