On Monday, October 16, 2017, the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs hosted the 2017 Public Safety Awards during an annual luncheon. The annual event recognizes City of Sandy Springs first responders who have shown exemplary professional accomplishments in the city’s Fire/EMS and Police Departments. Sandy Springs Police Captain (and member of the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs) Mike Lindstrom officiated the program, and Police Chief Ken DeSimone and Fire Chief Keith Sanders (also a member of the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs) presented their respective department winners. Also speaking during the event was Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs. Photos may be found at http://rotaryclubofsandysprings.zenfolio.com/p382965260

Of special significance was the posthumous acceptance of the Firefighter of the Year Award for Jacob Hammond by his mother, Lynn Hammond, who commended both the Sandy Springs Fire Department for welcoming her son into the profession of firefighting and the Sandy Springs Police Department, which showed enormous compassion and sympathy to her when she was informed that her son was recently killed on September 21, 2017 in an off-duty, motorcycle accident. Jacob was only 21 years old at his death and had joined the Sandy Springs Fire Department in March of 2015.

Enjoy more photos at http://rotaryclubofsandysprings.zenfolio.com/p3829...

The winners of the 2017 Sandy Springs Public Service Awards are:

2017 Police Department Civilian of the Year: Jannah Bryant

2017 Police Officer of the Year: Officer Craig Manne

2017 Police Officer Supervisor of the Year: Sergeant Anthony Misuraca

2017 Paramedic of the Year: Paramedic Derek Uburtis

2017 Firefighter of the Year: Firefighter Jacob Hammond (posthumously awarded)

Pictured L-R Jim Squire, Lou Tabickman, Police Chief Ken DeSimone, Jannah Bryant, Craig Manne, Anthony Misuraca, Derek Uburtis, Lynn Hammond, Fire Chief Keith Sanders, Will MacArthur, Mike Lindstrom