On Thursday, the Gwinnett Chamber hosted its annual Valor Awards, honoring the county's public safety professionals for their achievements and bravery. Representatives from several local departments were recognized.
• Gold Medal of Valor: Gwinnett County Police Department's Sgt. Roger Bell and Officers Austin York, Daniel Bennett and Victor Cortez, for "their quick thinking in stopping a violent assailant and getting the victims the medical treatment they needed."
• Silver Medal of Valor: Norcross Police Department Officer Joseph Harkleroad, for "showing great bravery in his actions while pulling a driver from a burning vehicle."
• Medal of Merit: Suwanee Police Department Officer Chance Belcher, for being "an outstanding program or person in the community that goes above and beyond, but on and off the job."
• Lifesaving Award: Gwinnett County Police Department Officeres Joseph Boyd, Dylan Fields, Christian Matos, Kevin Robinson and Tyler Stevers, for "decisive action" that enabled them "to locate a victim and act without hesitation in administering lifesaving treatment."
• Unit of the Year: Lawrenceville Police Department's crime suppression unit.
• Public Safety Person of the Year: Gwinnett County Police Department Officer Senior Shawn Mycols.
• Communications Officer of the Year: Gwinnett County Police Department Communications Officer II Benjamin Marlow
• Public Safety Civilian Partnership Award: Austin Anglin and Ryan Slusher, "whose life-saving actions prevented a tragedy and saved two lives.
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