N. county responders honored for valor, service
The Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday honored area first responders for valor and community service during a ceremony at the Riviera Beach Marina Event Center.
The Valor Award was presented to first responders who demonstrated courage above and beyond the call of duty, regardless of personal safety, to save another person’s life or protect someone from harm.
Palm Beach Gardens detective Jennifer Brashear and Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue Lt. Dave Taylor, a lifeguard in Palm Beach Shores, received awards.
The Community Service Award was given to first responders who have unselfishly volunteered their time to a nonprofit agency, organization, community group or project that benefits the community.
The recipients of that award were: firefighter/paramedic
Amanda Apfel, North Palm Beach Fire Rescue; Officer O’Neil Anderson, Jupiter Police; Deputy Sherry Baker, Palm Beach County Sheriff ’s Office; Lt. Sandi Ladewski, Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue; firefighter David McGovern, Tequesta Fire Rescue; and Lt. James Pike, Tequesta Police Department. In addition, four people from Palm Beach Gardens shared an award for the city’s annual Joy Drive program — police emergency communications manager Judy Brandt, police background investigator Ellen Lovejoy, fire inspector Andrea Santa and Valor Award winner Brashear.
The guest speaker at Wednesday’s inaugural Valor and Community Service Awards for Palm Beach North First Responders was state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, who also is the state fire marshal.