County Officials Receive Awards During Chamber Event

Press release from Cumberland County:

Oct 15, 2020

Cumberland County Commissioner Jimmy Keefe, Health Director Dr. Jennifer Green, Sheriff’s Office deputies and firefighters from the volunteer departments were among those honored during the 2020 Valor Awards Ceremony held on Oct. 13 at Manna Church.

The Valor Awards are presented by the Greater Fayetteville Chamber to show community appreciation to first responders throughout Cumberland County.

Commissioner Keefe received the Award of Merit for his work while serving as the Cumberland County Fire Commissioner and participating on the Public Safety Task force, which brought forth a revised funding model for fire service that was eventually approved by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners.

Dr. Green was recognized for her service to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awardees are selected in three categories by a panel:

• Award of Merit recognizes outstanding public safety work which demonstrates initiative, ingenuity, and diligence in the performance of their duties.
• Lifesaving Award recognizes official acts taken during a life-threatening situation.
• The Valor Award is the highest award for valor and heroism and is presented to a public safety official who places themselves at risk of death or extreme serious bodily harm in the performance of an official act.

Corporal Christopher Belvins and Deputy Phillip Russ with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office received Lifesaving Awards for official acts during life-threatening situations.

The following individuals received the Award of Merit:

• Deputy Tajaye Murray, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office
• Assistant Chief Sean C. Johnson, Stoney Point Volunteer Fire Department
• Deputy Fire Chief Freddy L. Johnson, Cumberland County Fire Chiefs’ Association
• Assistant Fire Chief and Chaplain Kenneth Tatum, Cumberland County Fire Chiefs’ Association
• Fire Chief and Secretary Mark A. Melvin, Cumberland County Fire Chiefs’ Association
• Chief and Vice President Ronnie Marley, Cumberland County Fire Chiefs Association and Peace’s Mill Fire Department
• Engineer David Alan Stewart, Stoney Point Fire Department

Stoney Point Fire Chief Freddy Johnson also recognized the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and Manager Amy Cannon with plaques for their dedication on behalf of the Cumberland County Fire Chiefs’ Association. Commissioners Keefe and Michael Boose accepted the plaques for the County. Chief Johnson will present the special recognition to all commissioners at an upcoming board meeting.

Dr. Larry Keen, President of Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC), received the Award of Merit for the financial and educational contributions for the future Cumberland County Fire and Rescue Regional Training Center. FTCC is a critical partner with the Board of Commissioners and the Cumberland County Fire Service for this state-of-the-art facility, which is expected to open in 2022.

For more information on the Valor Awards, visit www.faybiz.com

This press release was produced by Cumberland County. The views expressed are the author's own.