Gordon EMS honors public servants at annual awards banquet

Each year during National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, Gordon EMS hosts a cook-out celebration to show their appreciation to all local public safety personnel and to present special awards, including the Kathy Cox Guardian Angel Award.

This year, the 8^th Annual Public Safety Celebration was held at Heritage Baptist Church on Monday, May 16.

“We are excited to continue to celebrate all of our public safety colleagues. This banquet preceded by a cookout is something we look forward to each year,” said Courtney Taylor, director of Gordon EMS, a service of Gordon Hospital.

The Kathy Cox Guardian Angel Award was created eight years ago to not only honor the memory and service of Gordon County Ordinance Officer Kathy Cox, who died in an automobile accident on Aug. 21, 2008 while on duty, but to also recognize other public safety officials who share many of her extraordinary values.

Nominations for the award were made by public safety department heads of all disciplines in Calhoun and Gordon County. The nominations were then sent to a panel of unbiased judges.

“Every year, it is a difficult decision to determine the winner. Each of the nominees are exemplary representatives of their agencies, each deserving recognition of their dedication to our community,” Taylor explained.

“We are extremely pleased to present this year’s Kathy Cox Guardian Angel Award to Sergeant Cory Hayes of Gordon County E-911,” Taylor said. Kathy’s husband, Kenny Cox, joined Taylor in presenting Hayes the award.

Nominees for this year’s Kathy Cox Guardian Angel Awards also included: trooper Wesley Kerce of the Georgia State Patrol; officer Fernando Olmedo of the Calhoun Police Department; firefighter Cody Minter of the Calhoun Fire Department; and Jackson Jenkins of the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office.

Earlier in the award ceremony, Taylor presented the Extraordinary Service Award to Grady Jolley of Gordon County Sheriff’s Office and his wife Sharon Jolley of the Calhoun Police Department.

This recognition honors an individual, agency, or company that gives extraordinary service and support to public safety in Calhoun and Gordon County.

A third award, Taylor presented the Gordon EMS Above and Beyond Award to shifts A, B, and C of the Calhoun Fire Department.

The nominations were first submitted by employees of Gordon EMS in appreciation for their on-scene, above and beyond assistance to them. The nominations were sealed and sent to an unbiased panel of judges for evaluation.

Taylor concluded the award celebration by thanking all public servants for their service to Calhoun, Gordon County, and Gordon Hospital.

Sergeant Cory Hayes of Gordon County E-911 is this year’s Kathy Cox Guardian Angel Award recipient. Pictured from left are Kenny Cox, Hayes, and Gordon EMS Director Courtney Taylor.

The Extraordinary Service Award was presented to Grady Jolley of Gordon County Sheriff’s Office and his wife Sharon Jolley of the Calhoun Police Department. Shown left to right are: Grady Jolley, Sharon Jolley, and Gordon EMS Director Courtney Taylor.

The Gordon EMS Above and Beyond Award was presented to shifts A, B, and C of the Calhoun Fire Department. Fire Chief Lenny Nesbitt is pictured left with Gordon EMS Director Courtney Taylor, right.