Texoma Council of Governments Receives National Association of Development Organizations 2019 Impact Award
November 4, 2019
TxCDBG 2020 Applications Available
March 10, 2020Texoma Regional 9-1-1 Telecommunicators Awards Banquet 2020
News Release
For Immediate Release
SHERMAN, TEXAS – Eric Bridges, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG), announced today the award recipients from its annual Texoma Regional 9-1-1 Telecommunicators Banquet, hosted by TCOG’s Public Safety staff on February 27. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the banquet in which TCOG makes a deliberate effort to express its gratitude and appreciation for 9-1-1 telecommunicators by highlighting the important role they play in public safety services.
Dr. Joe Serio, Guest Speaker
“Telecommunicators are a particularly critical link between those in need of emergency services and those that provide emergency assistance,” stated Bridges. “They are often the first point of contact in moments of crisis.
“The Texoma region is fortunate to have such devoted and dedicated telecommunicators who truly are first responders.”
In 2019, Governor Greg Abbott signed a new law classifying 9-1-1 dispatchers and other public safety telecommunications professionals as first responders. This law went into effect on September 1. Prior to this legislation, 9-1-1 telecommunicators were classified as secretaries. The law provides an opportunity to give dispatchers recognition alongside public safety services as well as providing them with access to benefits to help support their mental health.
The awards and recipients are as follow:
Silent Heroes
- Janet Simpson, Gainesville Police Department
- Tamela Collins, Fannin County Sheriff’s Office
- Kenady Price, Grayson County Sheriff’s Office
- Jamie Young, Denison Police Department
- Kayla Sweet, Van Alstyne Police Department
- Cindy Woods, Bonham Police Department
- Jerri Winnett, Whitesboro Police Department
- Sara Patterson, Sherman Police Department
Life-Saving Award Recipients
- Laura Polmateer, Gainesville Police Department
- Ronald Sadler, Fannin County Sheriff’s Office
- Rebecca Williams, Denison Police Department / Van Alstyne Police Department
- Kayla Sweet, Van Alstyne Police Department
- Rachelle Cheairs, Grayson County Sheriff’s Office
- Brittnee Hielckert, Cooke County Sheriff’s Office
- Amanda King, Cooke County Sheriff’s Office
- Leland Booher, Sherman Police Department
Team Award of Merit Recipients
- Audrey Baxter, Sherman Police Department
- Arthur Coker, Sherman Police Department
- Austin Sutterfield, Sherman Police Department
Supervisor of the Year
- Ivon Wood, Grayson County Sheriff’s Office
Telecommunicator of the Year
- Ronald Sadler, Fannin County Sheriff’s Office
In addition to the awards ceremony, the event featured keynote speaker, Dr. Joe Serio. Serio holds a PhD in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Leadership and Organizational Behavior from Sam Houston State University. He is a popular and entertaining speaker who motivates and inspires his audiences while providing thought-provoking information.
The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson counties. Established in 1968, 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. Both directly and 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.
