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Six local heroes were honored during the annual Law Enforcement and First Responders Appreciation Day on Jan.  31, at Crosspoint Church.

Personnel from Dallas County Sheriff Office (DCSO), Selma Police Department (SPD), Selma Fire Department (SFD), Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division Troopers, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) along with volunteer firefighters and first responders were treated to a meal of spaghetti, salad, hot dogs and assorted desserts.

Bill Hamner (DCSO), Adric Reed (ALEA), Walter Curtis (SPD), Aeneas Pettway (SFD), Christina Smith (EMS) and James Peters (volunteer firefighter) were the six heroes honored.

Crosspoint Pastor David Nichols thanked everyone for what they do to protect and serve the community.

“I’m absolutely excited to be here today because this is one of my favorite days out of the year because I get to stand in a room full of heroes,” Nichols said. “Thank you for showing up and helping us in our greatest time of need.”

Northcrest Baptist Church member Kathy Smith, one of the event’s organizers, said the luncheon is always about appreciating first responders for protecting the lives of area residents. Members from numerous came together to say thank you to first responders.

“I can’t thank my God enough for y’all and for the things that y’all do for us each and every day,” Smith said. “I love y’all and I mean it with all my heart. I love y’all so much.”

Dallas County Sheriff Mike Granthum said his honoree, Hamner, doesn’t say no to anything.

“I wish we had more like him. My hat’s off to our recipient, and it wasn’t me that picked it,” Granthum said. “I had some say, but it’s the officers who made the decision, and that’s what makes it so special. The officers look up to this guy. He’s trained many of these officers.”

Selma Police Chief Kenta Fulford said Curtis has served in numerous roles for the department.

“I appreciate all the hard work that he does. He does not mind filling in. Whenever I call him, he’s there,” Fulford said.

Reed said thanked God for allowing him this opportunity.

“It’s truly an honor to receive this award,” Reed said. “Second, I’m grateful to my family and friends for being here to support me. Third, I’d like to recognize all first responders who worked tirelessly to make Dallas County a better place. And lastly, I’d like to thank the church and the community for your continued support.”

Selma Fire Chief Richard C. Byrd said Pettway continues to lead the Selma fire department.

“He’s got a large workload, but he’s one of the guys that you can always depend on,” Byrd said. “He also works on shift. Just yesterday he worked a 24-hour shift as a shift commander. He’s a great leader. I can’t say enough about him.”

Ashley Milam of EMS said this year’s choice for EMS hero was easy. Smith came into the job with little to no experience, yet she quickly learned the job.

“At first she was very apprehensive to become a lead person on a scene, but we pushed her and pressured her. Sometimes even threatened her,” Milam joked. “She’s become a true team player standing up for her and standing beside her coworkers, her dedication to the community, her coworkers, her family, but most of all to herself is truly an inspiration.”

Peters, who is the chaplain for the department, thanked everyone for the award.

“We thank the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, Dallas County Police Department, the Selma Police Department, Selma Fire, all the first responders that out here because I can’t do this by myself,” Peters said. “I want to thank God our savior first.”

Several businesses sponsored the First Responder Luncheon including Marion Community Bank, ADS, Advance Auto Parts, Auto Beauty, Auto Zone, Bearden Catering, Bob Frazer, Brown Drug Co. Inc. DBA Dallas Avenue Pharmacy, Carpet Plus, Cash & Carry, Central Alabama Farmer’s Со-ор, Charles Ellis, Circle H Cattle Farm, Dallas County Farmers Federation, Dallas Heat & Air, Dave’s Market, Daylight Donuts, Dominos Pizza, Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA), Sorority of Selma, First Cahawba Bank, Flower Basket, Fraiser-Ousley Construction & Engineering, Inc., Fuller Building Supply Co., Gene Hisel, Henry Brick Co., Jack’s Restaurant, Julie R Sams Family Dentistry, K&D Auto Parts, KFC, Lawrence Brown Service Funeral Home, Local Churches and WMU, Local Elementary Schools, Mark’s Mart, Marvins, My Eye, NAPA Auto Parts, Non-alcohol Bama Budweiser, One Way Book Store, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Orrville Farmers Market, Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Preferred Eye Care, LLC, Primary Eye Care Center, Revival Coffee Company, Round Tree Electric, Safford Trading Company, Selcom, LLC, Selma Area Food Bank, Selma Pest Control, Stewart Construction Co., Tally Ho, Taylor Sports & Souvenirs, The Boot & Shoe, The Store, LLC, Tractor Supply Co., Trustmark Bank, Valley Creek Animal Hospital, Valley Grande Marathon, Vaughan Community Health Services, Vaughan Regional Medical Center, VFW Auxiliary and Walmart.