Gwinnett officers recall ‘call of a lifetime' at awards ceremony

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County police are recognizing their brothers in blue for the swift action and response to a call that resulted in a lifesaving arrest.

The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce 11th Annual Valor Awards were held Thursday at the Infinite Energy Forum.

The awards pay tribute to Gwinnett County’s public safety professionals. They include police, firefighters and emergency personnel. The awards are aimed at recognizing those who go above and beyond the call of duty and who directly affected the outcome of the given situation or emergency.

Sgt. Roger Bell, police officers Sr. Austin York, Daniel Bennett, and Victor Cortez with the Gwinnett County Police Department all received the highest award, the Medal of Valor, at this year’s ceremony.

They are credited with saving a teenager and grandmother who were being beaten by a man in their home.

The officers kicked in the door to rescue the victims mid- attack, and arrested their bloodied aggressor, in June 2015.

The officers were humbled by the award but told Channel 2’s Linda Stouffer they assessed the situation and reacted accordingly.

One officer told Stouffer his biggest concern was that they would not make it to the home in time, he said.
Another told her that the call was a call of a lifetime, and he feels lucky to have been a part of it.

The other winners Thursday were:

Austin Anglin and Ryan Slusher — Public Safety Civilian Partnership

Suwanee Officer Chance Belcher — Medal of Merit

Gwinnett Officers Senior Joseph Boyd, Dylan Fields, Christian Matos, Kevin Robinson and Tyler C. Stevers — Lifesaving Award

Benjamin Marlow II — Communications Person of the Year

Lawrenceville police Crime Suppression Unit — Public Safety Unit of the Year

Gwinnett Officer Senior Shawn Mycols — Public Safety Person of the Year

Norcross Sgt. Joseph Harkleroad — Silver Medal of Valor

Cox Media Group