Fayette

law enforcement and emergency workers got

something that don't often get Monday night

- recognition and appreciation.

American

Legion, Post 105, in Fayetteville honored ten

local police, fire and emergency service

personnel, the second year the legion recognized

outstanding public safety personnel.

In

March, the veterans organization requested

nominations from the various police, fire and

emergency departments, asking for examples of

"sustained outstanding performance or an

individual act."

Legion

members, fellow officers, family members and

officials from the county and the respective

departments joined in thanking those chosen for

the honor. County Commissioner and American

Legion Sergeant at Arms Greg Dunn chaired the

selection committee and officiated at the

ceremony.

Sheriff

Randall Johnson, acting Fire Chief Stony Lohr,

Fire Chief Jack Krakeel, Fire Chief Alan Jones,

Chief C.L. Butch Hall, Police Chief James Murray,

Marshal Butch Hall and County Commission Chairman

Harold Bost participated.

Police

chiefs Johnny Roberts and Roger Spencer were

unable to attend.

"The

men and women we honor here tonight and those

they represent are the single most important

element which makes our quality of life the best

in Georgia," said Dunn. "People must

first and foremost feel safe in their homes and

on our streets. If something happens they need to

know that well-trained, dedicated, caring and

intelligent police and fire personnel will assist

them through their crisis."

Dunn

marveled at the cooperation of police and fire

personnel throughout the county "regardless

of the fact that their elected officials may be

in disagreement at times over issues." He

said, "They don't care about issues or

political boundaries when people are in trouble.

We thank God for each and every one of them and

pray that they be safe as well."

Fayette

County firefighter Rick Ryckly was honored

because he "has unselfishly donated

thousands of hours through promoting fire

safety," said Chief Jack Krakeel. Ryckly

created a fire safety program without any

financial support "and of his own

initiative" that is still being used by fire

agencies today. According to Krakeel, "He is

currently undertaking efforts again on his own

time and free will to institute a national injury

prevention program in all elementary

schools."

He

is the cofounder and member of Fayette County

Safe Kids and a member of Region 4 EMS for

Children's Group. He has been in the public

safety field for 14 years. He was previously

recognized as the 1997 Fayette County Fire and

Emergency Services Firefighter of the Year and

the 1994 State of Georgia Fire Safety Educator of

the Year.

In

Peachtree city, firefighter/paramedic Chris

Campbell and firefighter/EMT Cery Fannin

"combined efforts that saved an 11-year-old

boy from death in a residential structure

fire" in 1999, according to acting Fire

Chief Stony R. Lohr.

Lohr

was the 1999 recipient of the award from the

American Legion.

In

June of 1999 Campbell and Fannin both risked

their lives to save the young boy. The child's

family had managed to escape, but were unable to

locate the youth. The pair of firefighters

entered the burning, smoke-filled home and

finally located the child upstairs under his bed.

The

boy, barely conscious, struggled and ripped the

air mask from the face of Campbell. According to

Lohr, "With great focus and perseverance,

Chris regained his composure, and replaced his

mask." They moved the child from the room,

down the stairs and out of the house where he was

revived by attending paramedics. The child

"would not have survived for more than a

couple of minutes if he had not been quickly

located and removed from his place of

hiding."

Lohr

noted, "Many others have achieved many

outstanding accomplishments this year. But for

firefighters, the saving of life from fire by

personal action that places oneself at risk is

the pinnacle."

Campbell

has been in the public safety field for eight

years, Fannin for three years.

The

city of Fayetteville Fire Department selected

firefighter/EMT Kerry Cochran to be honored.

Cochran joined the department in 1997 as a

volunteer and was hired as a full-time employee

in 1998.

According

to Chief Alan Jones, "In the last two years,

firefighter Cochran has demonstrated great

enthusiasm and involvement in preparing the

department to face the challenges of the

future."

Jones

described Cochran as "a guy no one usually

hears about but we can't do without."

Patrol

officer Deputy Wayne Hall was chosen by the

Fayette County Sheriff's Department as the

awardee. Hall has been with the Sheriff's Office

for five years, and has served in the detention

facility and with patrol services. He is a field

training officer and a member of the Sheriff's

Special Enforcement Team. Hall served four years

in the U.S. Marine Corps prior to entering law

enforcement.

The

Sheriff's Department also honored Lt. Jim Nations

from the Technical Services Division (the jail).

Nations,

a native of Fayette County, started his law

enforcement career with the GBI in 1973. He was

in the first group of agents under age 21 hired

narcotic agents.

He

has worked for the Fayetteville Police Department

as a patrolman, moving to the Sheriff's

Department in 1980. "In the past couple of

decades Lt. Nations has worked in nearly all of

the divisions of the Sheriff's Department,"

said Johnson. "When the courthouse was

burned in 1983, Jim was the case agent. He was

involved in the arrest and conviction of both

suspects."

He

continued, "His is respected by everyone who

has had the privilege of working with him. He is

treasured by most of the officers he

supervises."

Nations

was honored for the outstanding job he had

performed as supervisor in the Fayette County

Jail that has been severely overcrowded for

several years.

Tyrone

Police Department's sole detective was chosen to

receive recognition for his outstanding service.

Tyrone Chief of Police Roger Spencer said,

"Detective David Mullis has served as Tyrone

Police Department's only investigator for the

past two years. Through his diligent efforts the

number of cases cleared by arrest have increased

dramatically."

Mullis

has been in public safety for nine years and has

been with the Tyrone Police Department for four

years. He "produced arrests on three child

molestation cases, several fraud cases, thefts

and burglaries. All of this has been completed

solely by hard work." Mullis also serves as

firearms instructor and armorer for the

department.

Detective

Beverly Trainor was chosen as the honoree by the

Fayetteville Police Department. Major Harold

Simmons said, "Detective Trainor is

committed to her work and the city of

Fayetteville. She has gone above and beyond the

call of duty in the past year."

He

continued, "She is a true professional and a

big asset to the Fayetteville Police Department

and the citizen of Fayetteville."

Trainor

is currently assigned as the accreditation

manager, which is "a very difficult and

time-consuming job," said Dunn. She has been

in the public safety field for five years and has

been with the Fayetteville Police Department for

two years.

The

Fayette County Marshal's Department honored

Marshal Terry Black. Black was the 1997 Deputy

Marshal of the Year and received the 1999 William

H. Spurgeon award for his contributions to the

Exploring Program within the Flint River Council.

He is post advisor for Law Enforcement Explorer

Post 273, a cub master for Cub Scout Pack 58, a

Georgia hunter and safety education and boating

safety instructor, CPR instructor for the

American Heart Association and regional director

for Region 4 - Georgia Hunter Education

Association.

According

to Chief C.L. "Butch" Hall, "Terry

Black projects a positive image for Fayette

County, Fayette County Marshal's office and to

the law enforcement profession."

The

Peachtree City Police Department chose Major Mike

Dupree to receive the legion award. Dupree has

been in the public safety field for 20 years and

has served with the Peachtree City Police

Department for 15 years. He is a 1993 graduate of

the FBI Academy and was the city of Peachtree

City Employee of the Year in 1992 and the Fayette

County Police Officer of the Year in 1986. Dupree

was the accreditation manager in 1992 when the

department was awarded international

accreditation, and was project manager for

reaccreditation in 1997 and 2000.

"He

is a role model for all police officers,"

said Chief James Murray.

The

American Legion plans to continue to honor public

safety personnel annually. The awards were

initiated at the urging of legion post commander

Dale Barnett. The American Legion membership is

open to veterans who served during wartime. The

group meets at 7:30 p.m. each second Monday at

the American Legion Log Cabin in Fayetteville.

For information phone Dale Barnett at

770-719-4743.

<!--

-----------