Bowling Green Fire Department honors staff members at annual event

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – On Friday evening, the heroic men and women who keep Bowling Green safe were honored for their service and sacrifice for the community.

The 5th Annual Bowling Green Fire Department Awards Ceremony was hosted at the Public Safety Training Center Friday evening.

Among those honored were Firefighter of the Year Dylan Hawkins, Engineer of the Year Stephen Estes and Officer of the Year Chris Britton.

“Each year since 2022, the Bowling Green Fire Department chooses to carve out a night to gather for one goal. The goal is to honor the service and sacrifice of our BGFD personnel and of our community partners. A year’s worth of service is captured in the effort to bring forward in the form of a ceremony the successes of the elite service provided in a calendar year. A Firefighter will never ask for attention or the accommodation for ‘doing their job.’ It’s our job as leaders to slow down and bring to recognition the best part of our city, our people,” said Bowling Green Fire Department Chief Justin Brooks.

Full list of award recipients:

Firefighter of the Year – Dylan Hawkins

Engineer of the Year – Stephen Estes

Officer of the Year – Chris Britton

Medal of Valor
Daniel Ashley
John Embrey
John Potter

Medal of Honor
Brian Hope
Brett Pitchford
Joey Hernandez

Citizen Lifesaving Award – Sara Beth Embry

Award of Merit
Larry Wehr
Merv Hochstetler
Ben Mock
Taylor Kiser

Service Excellence Award – Michael Cornwell

Community Service Award
Cindy Lemons
Clifton Phelps

Legacy Award – Retired Deputy Chief Jason Sowders

Safety Award – Nick Cook

Fitness Awards
Levi Anthony
Griffin Spainhoward
Mike Harvey
Travis Keown

Chief’s Award
Kirsten Horner
Joe Harbin