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Erica Techo
Hoover Fire Department EMS and Public Information Officer Rusty Lowe (second from left) and Firefighter Deramius Leonard (second from right) pose for a photo at the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce's 2017 Safety Awards on Sept. 27, 2017. Leonard received HFD's 2017 Firefighter of the Year award at the luncheon.
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Erica Techo
Carl Brown with Cahaba Valley Fire Department (center) poses for a photo at the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce's 2017 Safety Awards on Sept. 27, 2017. Brown received the Shelby County Sheriff's Office's 2017 CVFD Firefighter of the Year award at the luncheon.
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Erica Techo
Chelsea firefighter Andrew White (second from left) and Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley (second from right) pose for a photo at the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce's 2017 Safety Awards on Sept. 27, 2017. White received the Chelsea Fire Department's 2017 Firefighter of the Year award at the luncheon.
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Erica Techo
Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego (second from left) and Deputy James Sellers (second from right) pose for a photo at the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce's 2017 Safety Awards on Sept. 27, 2017. Sellers received the Shelby County Sheriff's Office's 2017 SCSO Officer of the Year award at the luncheon.
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Erica Techo
Freddy Hester with the Hoover Police Department (second from left) stands with Police Chief Nick Derzis (second fron right) at the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce's 2017 Safety Awards. Hester recived HPD's 2017 Police Officer of the Year award.
The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce’s September luncheon might have run a little long, but it was worth the extra time, said Chamber President and CEO Kirk Mancer. That’s because it was the chamber’s annual public safety awards, which recognize firefighters and police officers throughout Shelby County.
Firefighters and officers were nominated by their departments, and each department made a short presentation on the officer or firefighter of the year. Some were nominated for valor in a particular situation, and others for their daily work.
As Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis recognized Det. Freddy Hester, who helped catch suspects involved in multiple thefts of Walgreens in several states. By making a connection to other cases in Texas and Mississippi through DNA analysis, Hester made other connections in the Walgreens corporate office and with the car rental company from which the suspects were renting a car.
When another burglary took place over the summer, and Hester was contacted at 3 a.m., he contacted the DEA to let them know the suspects were likely leaving the scene and heading back to Texas.
“This information was relayed to Louisiana State Police, who were waiting for the suspects as they were crossing into Louisiana,” Derzis said. Narcotics were recovered, and both suspects were apprehended in a matter of days.
Hoover Fire Department EMS and Public Information Officer Rusty Lowe recognized firefighter Deramius Leonard, who acted quickly at a suicide attempt on the Lorna Road overpass. At the time the fire department arrived on scene, Hoover police officers had convinced the individual not to commit suicide, but he was on the other side of a fence on the overpass. Leonard and another firefighter cut the chain link fence and secured webbing around the individual, keeping him from falling until further help could arrive.
From Cahaba Valley Fire Department, Chief Jim Witherington recognized Carl Brown, who is part time with the department “but does not give part time effort.” His nomination did not come from a particular situation, Witherington said, but rather from a culmination of his efforts. He trains drivers for the department and has shown commitment to the fire service through the many certifications he has received.
“He is a firefighter’s firefighter,” Witherington said.
Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley recognized a firefighter who has been with the department for two and a half years. Andrew White wears many hats at the department, from working with the volunteer firefighters and Explorer post.
“He does over and beyond what he does on duty,” Shirley said, adding it is not uncommon for White to be at the fire station on his day off.
Shirley said he also wanted to recognize White for the part he played when another firefighter had a heart attack on the scene of a structure fire. Lt. Ben Hostetter collapsed when the team was returning to the structure to check for hot spots, and White immediately called for help, Shirley said. Hostetter required seven defibrillations from the time he collapsed to when he arrived at Grandview Hospital before he was stabilized. Shirley commended White for his quick reaction, adding that it is the first few minutes of care that end up the most critical.
In mid-October, Hostetter could come back to light duty with the department, Shirley said, and he credits the work his guys did and the help of other public safety officials for that fact.
“I think all of those components coming together brought us to the outcome we have,” he said.
Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego recognized one of his deputies for the work he has done as a deputy as well as his dedication to the community. Deputy James Sellers has a servant’s heart and is dedicated to the Special Olympics and helping those involved, Samaniego said.
And this year, Sellers helped establish Camp Journey, a one-week summer program that helps teach children leadership skills and establish relationships with law enforcement officers.
“The feedback has been incredible,” Samaniego said. “Deputy Sellers has spent a career preparing for what he accomplished this summer, and it will be used as a model to share with other schools in the area. His initiative, leadership and creativity is what we strive for each day.”
The following individuals were recognized:
City of Alabaster
Firefighter of the year - Brent Conway
Police officer of the year – Jason Higgins
Cahaba Valley Fire Department
Firefighter of the year – Carl Brown
City of Calera
Firefighter of the year – Chase Smith
Police officer of the year – Michael Riley
City of Chelsea
Firefighter of the year – Andrew White
City of Columbiana
Firefighter of the year – Josh Dunnaway
Police officer of the year – Mike Peppers
Town of Harpersville
Officer of the year – Linda McCain
City of Helena
Firefighter of the year – Craig Sykes
Police officer of the year – Michael Taquino
City of Hoover
Firefighter of the year – Deramius Leonard
Police officer of the year – Freddy Hester
City of Montevallo
Police officer of the year – Todd Pace
City of Pelham
Firefighter of the year – Everett Hazen
Police officer of the year – Jared Sams
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office
Officer of the year – James Sellers
