Honoring Cobb County Heroes

I was honored to serve this year as the chair of the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce’s Public Safety Appreciation Week which runs from October 1 – 7. The event kicked off with a breakfast to honor our fallen heroes from years past as well as 43 nominees for awards from Career Achievements to Distinguished Service, and The Medal of Valor. The breakfast was well-attended by over 600 business leaders, elected officials, and public safety personnel and their families. We were very proud to have US Senator Johnny Isakson join us for the ceremony.

As part of my duties, I spoke at the Chairman’s Club reception prior to the breakfast and at the breakfast itself. I also was able to shake hands with each nominee and present recognition awards to them. What a tremendous honor to stand before this crowd! I also had the privilege of introducing the keynote speaker, Chris Allen, the founder and president of Hunting For Heroes.

WSB-TV Anchor John Bachman was our emcee. He did a great job and followed-up with a news story highlighting the Medal of Valor winner, Cobb County Deputy Sheriff Todd Peisel who while off-duty rescued a family from a vehicle that was upside down in a rising creek. Deputy Peisel waded into fast-moving, chest-deep water and pulled out the occupants who had taken their last breath in the pocket of air that was rapidly disappearing. Like most public safety personnel I have been honored to know and represent, he really doesn’t understand why everyone is so impressed with his actions. His embodiment of the concept of service before self is yet another shining example of the dedication of our nation’s public safety personnel, and continues to make me proud to represent them.

I hope your communities make an effort to honor all of you in the way Cobb County endeavors to do each year. Your daily sacrifices and committment to protect the lives of strangers is certainly worthy of recognition.

Stay safe.