Exceptional and heroic actions by employees in three County departments brought them well-deserved praise and recognition recently. 

The Atlanta Marriott Gwinnett Place hotel was the scene on March 26 when the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and its presenting sponsors staged the fifth annual Valor Awards reception to honor local public safety professionals.  

The top award for bravery and heroism, the Gold Medal of Valor, went to Gwinnett Firefighter Scott Robertson for his dramatic rescue of a woman during the flood last September. 

Gwinnett Corrections Officer Timothy Frates won the Silver Medal of Valor award for risking his life to stop a gunman and for helping the victim. The Bronze Medal went to two Lilburn officers and a Duluth police officer won the Medal of Merit. 

Gwinnett Police Sergeant Edward Restrepo headed a task force that investigated a Dominican organized crime operation and led to 25 felony arrests in New York and Miami as well as Gwinnett. He was named Public Safety Person of the Year for those efforts. 

Police Communications Officer Leslie Leatherwood was recognized as Communications Person of the Year for developing training manuals for the 9-1-1 Call Center over several years and improving employee retention there. 

The Public Safety Unit of the Year award went to our entire Swiftwater Rescue Team, based at Fire Station 14 in Buford, for its effective response to 53 rescue calls last year and for assisting with 20 major rescues on the day of the 2009 flood alone. The team was also praised by the Lilburn police officers who won the Lifesaving Award. 

Chairman Bannister commended all the winners saying, "Your work is clearly making Gwinnett a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Thank you for setting an outstanding example for your coworkers and for your ongoing contributions to public safety in Gwinnett County." 

Presenting sponsors for the awards were Entaire Global Companies, Inc., Mobile Communications of Gwinnett, Inc., and Motorola, Inc.