Rotary Club of Niceville-Valparaiso presents first responder awards

NICEVILLE, Fla. — The Rotary Club of Niceville-Valparaiso recently presented its annual first responder awards recognizing the top local police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians for their outstanding service to our community in 2021.

“We are proud of the accomplishments of these first responders, and we are grateful for their efforts to make the Twin Cities area a safer place to live,” the club said in a press release.

“These first responders truly live the Rotary motto of Service Above Self.”

Here are the recipients of the Rotary Club of Niceville-Valparaiso first responder awards for 2021

Niceville Fire Department Firefighter of the Year
Firefighter Jason Maines

Valparaiso Fire Department Firefighter of the Year
Lieutenant Timothy “Alex” Winkler

Niceville Police Department Officer of the Year
Officer Sierra “Sadie” Eakins

Valparaiso Police Department Officer of the Year
Officer Jason Lecuyer

East Niceville Fire District Firefighter of the Year
Deputy Fire Chief Jon Kramer

North Bay Fire District Firefighter of the Year
Firefighter Brett McDaniel

Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) Security Forces Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Christina Jagiello

Eglin AFB Security Forces Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
Technical Sergeant Daniel Brewer

Eglin AFB Security Forces Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
Master Sergeant Floyd Ford

Eglin AFB Security Forces Company Grade Officer of the Year
First Lieutenant Christopher Young

Eglin AFB Security Forces Category I Civilian of the Year
Officer Daryl Culberson

Eglin AFB Security Forces Category II Civilian of the Year
Officer Lawrence Holst

Eglin AFB Military Firefighter of the Year
Staff Sergeant Dominick Kelly

Eglin AFB Fire Department Civilian Firefighter of the Year
Mr. Ellis Nutt

Eglin AFB Fire Department Military Fire Officer of the Year
Technical Sergeant Travis Cumpston

Eglin AFB Fire Department Civilian Fire Officer of the Year
Mr. Robert “Bobby” Manby

Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Deputy of the Year
Deputy Eric Swain

PHOTO (TOP) Pictured from left to right:  Senior Airman Christina Jagiello, Eglin AFB Security Forces Airman of the Year; Officer Jason Lecuyer, Valparaiso Police Department Officer of the Year; Deputy Eric Swain, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Deputy of the Year; Officer Lawrence Holst, Eglin AFB Security Forces Category II Civilian of the Year; Technical Sergeant Travis Cumpston, Eglin AFB Fire Department Military Fire Officer of the Year; Master Sergeant Floyd Ford, Eglin AFB Security Forces Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year; Staff Sergeant Dominick Kelly, Eglin AFB Fire Department Military Firefighter of the Year; Mr. Ellis Nutt, Eglin AFB Fire Department Civilian Firefighter of the Year; Mr. Robert “Bobby” Manby, Eglin AFB Fire Department Civilian Fire Officer of the Year; First Lieutenant Christopher Young, Eglin AFB Security Forces Company Grade Officer of the Year; Fire Chief David Birch, East Niceville Fire District; Firefighter Brett McDaniel, North Bay Fire District Firefighter of the Year; Deputy Fire Chief Jon Kramer, East Niceville Fire District Firefighter of the Year; Lieutenant Timothy “Alex” Winkler, Valparaiso Fire Department Firefighter of the Year; Sergeant Kelly Carrico, Niceville Police Department; Battalion Chief Brian Thomas, North Bay Fire District; Officer Daryl Culberson, Eglin AFB Security Forces Category I Civilian of the Year.  Not Pictured:  Firefighter Jason Maines, Niceville Fire Department Firefighter of the Year; Officer Sierra “Sadie” Eakins, Niceville Police Department Officer of the Year; Technical Sergeant Daniel Brewer, Eglin AFB Security Forces Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.