"First Responders" Honored by American Legion

INDIANAPOLIS, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Three Hoosier "first responders" were honored July 16 by the state's largest veterans' organization as Law Enforcement Officer, Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician of the Year.

The awards came during the closing session of The American Legion Department of Indiana's 93rd annual state convention in Indianapolis July 16.

The Indiana Law Enforcement Officer of the Year is Detective Shawn Wininger of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. The Firefighter of the Year is Captain Samuel Still of the Boonville Fire Department, and the Legion's Emergency Medical Technician of the Year is Ronald Reed, Jr. of the Hobart Fire Department.

In addition to the 2011 officers of the year, Indiana's 2010 Firefighter of the year, Joseph Anthony Yochum, a member of the Vincennes Fire Department, advanced to the national finals sponsored by The American Legion National Headquarters and returned as Central Region Firefighter of the Year, and Runner Up in the final round of competition.

As he presented the awards, Legion Law and Order Committee chairman Bill Kocher of Vincennes told the winning "first responders" that "it is the intent of this program to, in some small way, let you know that The American Legion recognizes and appreciates your efforts on our behalf, and that we further recognize the terrific pressure you serve under 24 hours a day."

SOURCE American Legion Department of Indiana