Corey Puente was named officer-of-the-year and Herbie Vaughan firefighter-of-the year as the Rockdale Police Department and Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department combined for their annual awards banquet Saturday evening at the KC Hall.
Officer-of-the-year is based on a point system reflecting activity during the year.
Firefighter-of-the-Year is based on a vote by members of the department.
It’s the fifth time for Vaughan to win the award. He praised the members of the department. “You’ve actually got 43 firefighters of the year in here,” he said.
Fire Chief Ward Roddam praised the efforts of firefighters, and the support of their families, noting the RVFD answered 355 calls during the past year.
Roddam noted during the department recently answered three structure (house) fires within a 6-1/2-hour period.
Police Chief Thomas Harris, who will earn a 20-years-as-chief milestone in August, praised the dedication of the department and also dispatchers Sandy Kunkel, Trina Young, Faith Rickman and Guadalupe Rivera, along with Administrative Assistant Shana Goodrich.
Lt. Stephen presented awards to Officer-of-the-Year Puente and runner-up Sgt. Michael Hubnik.
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