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Zachary's first annual Fire and Police Banquet was held Saturday, July 16. Zachary Fire Department firefighters and Zachary Police Department officers were recognized for their years of service, as were firefighters and officers of the year. From left: Buddy Tidwell, ZPD Reserve Officer of the Year; Beth Nelson, ZPD Communications Officer of the Year, Rick Dudley, ZFD firefighter of the Year; and Carl Kelley, Volunteer Firefighter of the Year. Shane White, Police Officer of the Year was unable to attend due to illness. (PHOTO/Rip Rittell)
Over 200 guests attended the banquet which was hosted by Mayor David Amrhein, the City of Zachary and the Zachary City Council. "I would like to extend a very special thanks to those who generously donated to make this event such a success," said Amrhein.
He then went on to thank the Zachary Rotary Club, Professional Engineering Consultants, Constable David Darin, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Circle A Maintenance, Chris's Specialty Meats, Sam Vince and TNT Liquors, Ryan's Steakhouse and Raising Cane's.
Prior to a delicious meal served by Mayor Amrhein and Robyn Amrhein, Steve Nunnery, Chris Calbert, Kathi Brumley, Dianne Womack, City Councilmen Francis Nezianya, Brandon Noel, John Coghlan, Dan Wallis, Tommy Womack and others, Amrhein gave a warm mayor's welcome, followed by Deputy Fire Chief Chris Lawton who performed the invocation and Officer Enoch Sims who led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chris Calbert, chief administrative officer for the City of Zachary, was the guest speaker for the evening and presented a message about terrorism and the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.
Calbert has more than 32 years of law enforcement experience in the areas of police administration, explosive incident counter-measures, arson investigation and hazardous materials response at the specialist level.
Following Calbert's presentation, the awards ceremony was held, and there were several firefighters who were recognized for their various years of service by Zachary Fire/Rescue's Chief of Operations Glenn Triche. Fire Chief Boyce Smith was unable to to attend due to an illness.
Zachary Fire/Rescue's Firefighter of the Year Award went to Rick Dudley and the Volunteer Firefighter of the Year Award went to Carl Kelley.
Police officers were also recognized and presented certificates for their various years of service by the Zachary Police Department's Police Chief David Courtney.
Officer Shane White received the award for Police Officer of the Year; Beth Nelson received the award for Communications Officer of the Year; and Buddy Tidwell received the award for Reserve Officer of the Year. However, White was unable to attend due to an illness.
Guests who had winning ticket numbers, won door prizes that were given away, and the night ended with some dancing and music provided by a DJ.
Congratulations to Zachary's firefighters and police officers on their awards and on a successful inaugural banquet.
A huge 'thanks' goes out to Amber Guidry, Brandy Hannum, Raquel McDavid and Kathi Brumley who helped organize, set up and decorate the event; and a 'thank you' to Rip Rittell for photographing the evening's event.
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