Governor recognizes 12 Georgians for acts of heroism

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From the Office of the Governor:

FORSYTH – Today Governor Sonny Perdue announced the recipients of the Governor's Public Safety Awards (GPSA) at a ceremony in Forsyth recognizing eleven public safety professionals for Acts of Heroism and one for Contribution to the Profession. The recipients were given medallions and their names were added to the GPSA monument at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC).

"I am proud to honor the heroic acts of Georgia's courageous public safety servants," said Governor Perdue. "One of government's primary responsibilities is to keep the lives of our children and families protected. These twelve individuals have truly answered the call of duty far beyond our expectations."

The annual GPSA program began in 1998 to recognize the outstanding accomplishments and commitment of Georgia's public safety community.

"We are honored to have the opportunity to pay tribute to Georgia's public safety professionals who risk their lives daily and sacrifice time away from their families to protect our citizens," said J. Dale Mann, GPSA committee chairman and GPSTC director.

The GPSA program recognizes public safety professionals in two categories: Acts of Heroism and Outstanding Contributions to the Profession. The award for Acts of Heroism recognizes those who performed an exceptional deed which resulted in saving lives and/or protecting property. The award for an Outstanding Contribution to the Profession recognizes individuals whose job performance had an overwhelming positive affect on the overall profession.

Personnel from each discipline of public safety as well as state employees with public safety authority were eligible to receive the award. Nominations were submitted by local governments, state agencies, associations, police departments, sheriff's offices, correctional facilities, fire departments, 9-1-1 communications, emergency medical services and emergency management agencies.

Recipients of the 2009 Governor's Public Safety Awards are as follows:

Heroism Recipients

Andrew K. Altman – Staff Sergeant – Darien Police Department
Joshua R. Bain – Patrolman First Class – Darien Police Department
Mike Binion – Corporal – Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement
Henry J. Campbell – Deputy Sheriff – McDuffie County Sheriff's Office
S. Harrison Daniel – Senior Patrol Office – Athens-Clarke County Police Department
Robert A. Francisco, Jr. – Deputy Sheriff – McIntosh County Sheriff's Office
Mark Hambert – Lieutenant – Georgia State Patrol
Michael Johns – Deputy Sheriff – McIntosh County Sheriff's Office
Akeim Middleton – Patrol Officer – Marietta Police Department
James Stephen Moss – Senior Patrol Officer – Athens-Clarke County Police Department
Rick Sellars – Sergeant – Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement

Contribution to Profession Recipients

Louis M. Dekmar – Chief – LaGrange Police Department