The Kiwanis Club of Gainesville recognized local law enforcement officers and presented scholarships to children of first responders at their meeting Tuesday.
Five law enforcement agencies based in Hall County selected officers to be the 2023 recipients of the John W. Jacobs, Sr. Memorial Award. The recipients are listed below:
- Gainesville Police Department - Officer Joe Chastain
- Flowery Branch Police Department - Sgt. Christopher Compton
- Hall County Sheriff's Office - Deputy Eric Shaw
- Georgia State Patrol Post 6 - TFC Derek Long
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Game Warden Adam Kimbrough
Flowery Branch Police Sgt. Christopher Compton said it was an honor to be one of the recipients.
"I've grown up in Flowery Branch my whole life and I've always wanted to work for this department. Since I've come to this department, I feel like I've kind of poured my heart and soul into it," Compton said. "It's nice to be recognized. It meant the world to hear Chief (Chris Hulsey) stand up and say the things he had to say about me."
Also presented at Tuesday's Kiwanis Club meeting were five scholarships from the North Georgia Community Foundation to children of first responders. The scholarships totaled $4,600 in value and the recipients are listed below:
- Alec Guajardo - Coleman, Chambers & Rogers First Responders College Scholarship ($1,100)
- Colton Bartmas - Deputy Nicholas Dixon Scholarship ($1,500)
- Skylar Krockum - Deputy Patrick Mayfield Scholarship ($500)
- Kayla Matthews - Fire-Medic Tim Peebles Scholarship ($500)
- Noah Roberson - Flight Medic Phil Hart Scholarship ($500)
"Some of the very special scholarships that we have are the ones that are made for first responders," NGCF Vice President Megan Martin said. "These are given to children or first responders and its a great way for our donors to give back. We appreciate all that they do."
NGCF gives out more than 70 scholarships every year.
