Outstanding First Responder Awards
The 100 Club of Central Texas is proud to announce that the 41st Annual Awards Ceremony, presented by Roger Beasley Mazda, was a success! We honored more than 100 first responders from across Central Texas for their bravery and service to our communities. We also presented more than $30,000 in scholarships to twelve active-duty first responders to support their education and career goals.
Honoring our local heroes
Outstanding Administrative Technician
Amy Ellis – Travis County ESD 1
Travis County Emergency Services District 1 is a small but powerful department that relies heavily on Administrator Amy Ellis to serve their community. She is the glue and the heart of her department.
Outstanding Emergency Communications Operator
Hayden Mix – Bell County Communications
Hayden Mix serves a broad swath of Bell County. She coordinates complex situations across multiple departments on a regular basis while also taking it upon herself to support the mental health and fortitude of those with whom she works. She is unwavering in her positivity and dedication to her community.
Outstanding Emergency Communications Operator
Hayden Mix – Bell County Communications
Hayden Mix serves a broad swath of Bell County. She coordinates complex situations across multiple departments on a regular basis while also taking it upon herself to support the mental health and fortitude of those with whom she works. She is unwavering in her positivity and dedication to her community.
Outstanding Emergency Medical Technician
Cory Crouch – Austin-Travis County EMS
Even off duty, first responders serve our communities in a myriad of ways. This year’s Outstanding Emergency Medical Technician is a shining example of that. He was celebrating his son’s birthday and attending an orchestra concert and carnival at the school when a fire erupted near the concession stand. A man fell into the fire and – as bystanders ran from the flames – Cory Crouch leapt into action. The bravery and composure under pressure that he exemplified that day are what he brings to the field and our community every day.
Outstanding Firefighter
Clayton Blount – Pedernales Fire Department
The Pedernales Fire Department serves as both fire department and frontline EMS for their community. Though they partner with Austin-Travis County and STAR Flight, their firefighters are often the first on scene during an emergency. Recognizing this, the department expanded their administrative team with a dedicated EMS Coordinator. It quickly became clear to them that the best candidate to fill the new position was already serving their department as a firefighter. Clayton took on the new role with gusto and dedication to his fellow firefighters and his community.
Outstanding Firefighter
Clayton Blount – Pedernales Fire Department
The Pedernales Fire Department serves as both fire department and frontline EMS for their community. Though they partner with Austin-Travis County and STAR Flight, their firefighters are often the first on scene during an emergency. Recognizing this, the department expanded their administrative team with a dedicated EMS Coordinator. It quickly became clear to them that the best candidate to fill the new position was already serving their department as a firefighter. Clayton took on the new role with gusto and dedication to his fellow firefighters and his community.
Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer
Taylor Radford – Austin Police Department
First responders are just that… and officers of the Austin Police Department are often the first on the scene regardless of the type of call. This was certainly true in March when Austin Police Department responded to a vehicle crash on Mopac at 2:30 in the morning. Taylor Radford was first on the scene to find a vehicle on its side with smoke and flames billowing from within the passenger compartment. Trapped inside were two small children and the driver. Without any protective equipment, Officer Radford returned to the vehicle three times to remove all three occupants, risking his own life in the process.
Outstanding Team
Williamson County SWAT & Negotiations
Milam County Sheriff’s Office
and others
If you have ever been on scene for a SWAT callout, you know it is intense, stressful, and chaotic. Managing that chaos requires a team effort regardless of how many first responders are on scene. In May of last year, the Williamson and Milam County Sheriff’s Departments, along with many others in the area, were involved in a harrowing incident that tested their training and their teamwork. In all, almost 100 first responders responded to the incident where an individual had barricaded himself inside his house. Thanks to the combined efforts of the nine departments and 99 first responders, the incident was resolved after more than eight hours with no fatalities and no serious injuries. In fact, Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore was the only individual struck that day by the hundreds of rounds fired by the suspect.
Outstanding Team
Williamson County SWAT & Negotiations
Milam County Sheriff’s Office
and others
If you have ever been on scene for a SWAT callout, you know it is intense, stressful, and chaotic. Managing that chaos requires a team effort regardless of how many first responders are on scene. In May of last year, the Williamson and Milam County Sheriff’s Departments, along with many others in the area, were involved in a harrowing incident that tested their training and their teamwork. In all, almost 100 first responders responded to the incident where an individual had barricaded himself inside his house. Thanks to the combined efforts of the nine departments and 99 first responders, the incident was resolved after more than eight hours with no fatalities and no serious injuries. In fact, Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore was the only individual struck that day by the hundreds of rounds fired by the suspect.
Director’s Award
Val Barnes – Austin ISD Police Department
On December 5, 2023, the Austin community suffered multiple attacks from an individual on a violent spree. The students and staff at Northeast Early College High School and International High School were saved from being the victims of this violence by the actions of Sergeant Val Barnes, a brave member of the Austin ISD Police Department. He made contact with the individual in the parking lot outside the school and was struck multiple times when the individual opened fire on him inside his patrol vehicle – thwarting the man’s desire to enter the building and wreak havoc on those inside.
Lifetime Achievement
Donnie Norman – Travis County ESD 1
The Lifetime Acheivement Award is presented to a man who has served in the fire service for more than 45 years. Donnie Norman began as a Junior Volunteer Firefighter before he even graduated from high school; is a veteran of the US Army; and currently serves as both Chief of Travis County Emergency Services District 1 and Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Lago Vista, the City of Jonestown, and the Village of Point Venture. He leads on both a local and state level, including serving as the Texas Fire Chiefs Association President. He is widely respected for his integrity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to those he serves and he embodies the highest ideals of the fire service. Through his dedication to his community and department, he has provided a strong foundation for Travis County ESD 1 that supports continued education for all who serve and allows the members of his department to provide for their families and focus on serving the community.
Lifetime Achievement
Donnie Norman – Travis County ESD 1
The Lifetime Acheivement Award is presented to a man who has served in the fire service for more than 45 years. Donnie Norman began as a Junior Volunteer Firefighter before he even graduated from high school; is a veteran of the US Army; and currently serves as both Chief of Travis County Emergency Services District 1 and Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Lago Vista, the City of Jonestown, and the Village of Point Venture. He leads on both a local and state level, including serving as the Texas Fire Chiefs Association President. He is widely respected for his integrity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to those he serves and he embodies the highest ideals of the fire service. Through his dedication to his community and department, he has provided a strong foundation for Travis County ESD 1 that supports continued education for all who serve and allows the members of his department to provide for their families and focus on serving the community.
William (Bill) Orr Memorial Scholarship
presented by G T Distributors and the Orr Family
Juan de la Cruz – Killeen Police Department
First Responder Scholarship Program
Edwardo Jackson – Travis County Sheriff’s Office
Brian Lucas – Pflugerville Fire Department
Adam Milne – Sunset Valley Police Department
Obinna Nwachukwu – Round Rock Police Department
Kimberley Rendon – Round Rock Police Department
Lukis Sitorius – Austin-Travis County EMS
Caleb Smith – Bastrop Police Department
Ron Stewart – Williamson County ESD 5
Crystal Thomas – Harker Heights Police Department
Benjamin Walker – Travis County ESD 1
Todd Weidman – Travis County ESD 1
Thank you to our sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Director Sponsor
Major Sponsor
