First responders honored at recognition dinner
Published 7:39 pm Thursday, May 15, 2025
Nicholas Atkinson (left) is awarded the 2024 Law Enforcement of the year for Luverne by Crenshaw County District Judge Jon Folmar (right).
Crenshaw County pageant winners assist with serving at a first responder recognition dinner helping serve tea and drinks during the event. Pictured are (left to right) Miss BHS Karley Bryan, Miss HHS Marli Hoffman, Miss LHS Carlie Hammonds and Miss Crenshaw MaKaylah Green.
Brantley Police Chief Titus Averette (left) receives the 2024 Law Enforcement of the Year for Brantley award from Crenshaw County District Judge Jon Folmar (right)
Crenshaw County District Judge Jon Folmar (left) awards Micheal Johnson (right) the 2024 Lifetime Service in Law Enforcement Award.
Crenshaw County District Judge Jon Folmar (left) awards Bill McManingle the 2024 First Responder of the Year award.
Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Officers are recognized at the first annual First Responder and Law Enforcement Dinner. Pictured are (left to right) Deputy Austin Hebert, Chief Deputy Chris Stewart, Sheriff Terry Mears and deputy Justin Wood.
James Rome Odom (left) is awarded the 2024 Crenshaw County Alabama State Trooper of the Year award by Crenshaw County District Judge Jon Folmar (right).
Deputy Justin Wood (left) is recognized as a nominee for the Crenshaw County Sheriff's Office Officer of the year, awarded by Crenshaw County District Judge Jon Folmar (right).
: Deputy Austin Hebert (left) receives the 2024 Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office Officer of the Year award from Crenshaw County District Judge Jon Folmar (right).
Chief Deputy Chris Stewart (left) receives the 2024 Law Enforcement Administrator of the Year award from Crenshaw County District Judge Jon Folmar (right).
First responders from across the area were recognized at Crenshaw County’s first annual Law Enforcement and First Responder Dinner on Thursday, May 8.
Organized by Crenshaw County District Judge Jon Folmar, the Law Enforcement and First Responder Dinner aimed to honor first responders and law enforcement of Crenshaw County.
“The month of May is actually Law Enforcement Memorial Month and Appreciation Month, so what I have taken upon myself to do with help from the community is to have a night to honor all of the law enforcement officers and first responders who put their lives on the line every day for us and save peoples lives every day,” Folmar said. “As a former police officer myself who has been in situations, I know what kind of stress it takes on a family, so I wanted to make sure we honor them and their family members as well and show them how much we appreciate them.”
At the Barns and Bins wedding and event venue, guests enjoyed dinner catered by Flint’s Smokehouse. After dinner, Folmar awarded law enforcement and first responders in the county.
“We gave out awards to each department, [each department] submitted names and we were able to pick from those names,” Folmar said.
The following law enforcement and first responders were recognized with awards:
* Titus Averette – 2024 Law Enforcement of the Year for Brantley 1st
* Justin Wood – 2024 Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office Nominee 2nd
* Austin Hebert – 2024 Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office Officer of the Year 3rd
* Chris Stewart – 2024 Law Enforcement Administrator of the Year 4th
* Nicholas Atkinson – 2024 Law Enforcement of the Year for Luverne 5th
* James Rome Odom – 2024 Crenshaw County Alabama State Trooper of the Year 6th
* Micheal Johnson – 2024 Lifetime Service in Law Enforcement Award 7th
* Bill McManingle – 2024 First Responder of the Year 8th
“I’m glad Judge Folmar started this,” said Chief Titus Averette of the Brantley Police Department. “It gives you something to work for because a lot of time you do good work sometimes, you’re not recognized, and I think this event here is something that we were needing. I think it would make other officers, fire fighters and EMTs work harder at what they do, I think it’s very positive.”
Folmar said plans are already underway to keep the event going every year.
