by 
Arizona Department of Public Safety Captain Dave Nilson, left, honors DPS Officer Austin Sabin as the Officer of the Year. Jennifer Carnes | Miner
Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, left, recognizes Deputy Nik Zovko as the Deputy of the Year. Jennifer Carnes | Miner
Oracle Fire Department Chief Robert Jennings, center, presents the Firefighter of the Year award to Paul Farrell while Chief Larry Southard looks on. Jennifer Carnes | Miner
Casey Cross, left, receives the Firefighter of the Year award from San Manuel Fire Chief John Sandford. Jennifer Carnes | Miner
Tyler Cassabaum, left, received the Officer of the Year award for Tri-City Meds Ambulance from Mike Balta. Jennifer Carnes | Miner
Fred Creeley, left, awards the Citizen of the Year certificate to John Ecker.
Jennifer Carnes | Miner
By Jennifer R. Carnes
San Manuel Miner
Over the past several weeks and months, the Tri-Community has seen more that its fair share of tragedy. Families have lost loved ones to fatal accidents. Others have suffered serious injuries and spend months recuperating. And, in the heart of the Tri-Community a man lost his life in a deputy-involved shooting.
Citizens have rallied around those left reeling in the aftermath.
But who rallies around the ones on the other side of the accidents, the tragedies?
Saturday night, it was the San Manuel Elks.
The Elks, with assistance from the San Manuel National Junior Honor Society, served up the annual First Responders Recognition Dinner.
Sheriff’s Deputies, Firefighters, EMTs, Paramedics and Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Officers attended in full uniform to socialize and, finally, recognize one of their own for service to the community.
It was a time to say thank you to the men and women on the front line as well as thank those who support them – their families.
State Representative Frank Pratt, Justice of the Peace Arnold Estrada as well as a representative of Pinal County Attorney Lando Voyles all offered their thanks and congratulations before those being honored by their peers were announced.
Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu namedDeputy Nik Zovkoas Deputy of the Year.
“He’s been a leader,” Babeu said, commending the deputy for his exemplary conduct with citizens.
Zovko is stationed in the Tri-Community. Babeu said that over the past year, Zovko had handled 532 calls, made 46 arrests and 120 traffic stops. It was his fellow deputies, Babeu said, who nominated him because of his performance.
DPS Officer Austin Sabinwas named the Officer of the Year by his department. Sergeant Vern Havens told the audience that over the past year several very experienced officers had retired, leaving him with a relatively young force. The exception, he said, was Sabin.
“(Sabin) has stepped up,” Havens said, becoming a leader and mentor for the younger officers.
Havens said that over the past year Sabin has made more than 1,000 traffic stops and issued more than 450 citations, of which 110 were for seatbelt violations.
Sabin, he said, exemplifies the best of the agency.
Oracle Fire Department namedPaul Farrellas its Firefighter of the Year.
Chief Larry Southard said that Farrell has been with the department for seven years and in that time, Southard said, he has seen Farrell go from a young man to a home owner to a husband and a father.
Farrell holds 35 certifications including one for hazardous materials from the National Fire Academy. He helped establish minimum company standards and training requirements for his shift, which, Southard said, has spread to the other shifts as well. Farrell also set out and accomplished his goal of retaking his national certification as an EMT.
Farrell was just recently promoted to the rank of captain.
Mammoth Fire Chief Monty Poncemade the lone trek to the podium to accept the award for his entire department, stating that the entire department’s dedication to their work made it difficult to name just one person as Firefighter of the Year.
Casey Crosswas named Firefighter of the Year for the San Manuel Fire Department.
Chief John Sandford said that Cross had been with the department for two years, coming to them fresh out of the fire academy.
“He’s taken on the task of training the new guys,” Sandford said, “and he’s always willing to learn.”
Sandford also named him the “Nacho King” and begged Salt & Pepper Market to never run out.
Tri-City Meds Ambulance namedTyler Cassabaumas its Officer of the Year. Mike Balta, on behalf of Tri-City Meds, presented the award.
“(Cassabaum) is a great individual,” Balta said.
Cassabaum has just completed his training as a chaplain and will take over those duties for the local department.
The San Manuel Elks always uses the annual First Responders Recognition Dinner to honor one individual from the Tri-Community who has made a difference, someone who gives of themselves without thought.
This year, the San Manuel Elks has namedJohn Eckeras the 2014 Citizen of the Year.
From Boy Scouts to volunteering to help seniors, Ecker “does a lot for the community,” said Elks Treasurer Fred Creeley, emcee for the night.
(At this point, I’m afraid this writer stopped taking notes about the Citizen of the Year. I was too busy clapping and joining the rest of those at the dinner in a standing ovation for John. Just know, John, that we are very grateful for all you do in the community.)
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
by by