News Release
For Immediate Release

SHERMAN, JANUARY 20, 2016- Dr. Susan Thomas, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments announced that TCOG hosted an awards banquet for 9-1-1 Telecommunicators in the Texoma Region on Saturday evening, January 16, 2017 at Grayson Hall in Sherman, Texas. The banquet was held to honor Telecommunicators for their commitment and service to our community.

“9-1-1 Dispatchers play a vital part where public safety is concerned.” said Dr. Thomas. “They are the ones that gather crucial information from the caller and with that information send the appropriate emergency responders.”

Craig Northcutt and James Dry from Post Up were guest speakers at the banquet. Post Up is a non-profit organization that promotes hunting safety and the use of helmets while riding ATVs.
The following awards were given at the banquet:

• Dispatcher of the Year
  Megan Robinson of the Bonham Police Department
• Supervisor of the Year
  Lisa Whitten of the Whitesboro Police Department
• Team Award of Merit
  Channa Campbell, Shanna Kenney, and Lyra Webb of the Denison Police Department
• Life Saver Award
  Stacey Bee of the Fannin County Sheriff’s; Joyce Sturgess of the Denison Police Department; and Crista Rosado of the Cooke County Sheriff’s Office
• Silent Hero
  Lori Dilday of the Cooke County Sheriff’s Office, April Culley of the Van Alstyne Police Department; Dean Paddock and Joyce Sturgess of the Denison Police Department; and Deisiree Harston of the Sherman Police Department.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.