2020 Annual Winner: Ronald Walker, Houston Fire Department
Houston Fire Fighter Ronald Walker, a 17-year veteran, was honored with the 2020 Houston Texans Star of Courage Award presented by Apache in a ceremony at his Station 48. Engineer Operator Walker was nominated by his family for epitomizing the quote "Hard times don't create heroes, It is during the hard times the hero within us is revealed." Firefighters are always the first ones called into any incident that involves human illness or physical injury. Every time the alarm sounds they must respond. They are not only firefighters but they are also Emergency Medical Technicians. During this Covid-19 pandemic whenever 911 is called HFD responds and puts themselves in direct danger with possible patients prior to their admittance to any hospital. They don't just risk their lives running toward fires but also running to prevent the spread of our current silent enemy, COVID-19. Ronald Walker does this without hesitation during his 24 hour shifts because not only is it his job, but his true calling. He is our calm gentle giant who happens to be our personal hero. So for this reason, I nominate him to receive the Star of Courage Award.
August 2020 Winner: Raven Hernandez, AMET Bailey County
August's Houston Texans Star of Courage Award presented by Apache will be presented to AEMT Raven Hernandez. Hernandez is a single mother who decided to return to school to become a first responder. She works in a small town, and is setting a great example that hard work and determination can get the job done. Currently she is serving in her community as a COVID-19 tracer, helping manage all the current cases in her county and is doing an amazing job.
July 2020 Winner: Firefighter and EMT Joshua Templeton
July's Houston Texans Star of Courage Award presented by Apache will be presented to Conroe Fire Department Firefighter and EMT Joshua Templeton. For the past 7 years Templeton has gone above and beyond to serve the Houston Community. During Hurricane Harvey he went door by door on a boat for three days straight helping and rescuing those in need and he has continued to dedicate his life to serving the Houston community and ensuring everyone's safety during this challenging time. The Houston Texans and Apache would congratulate him for being our July Star of Courage award.
June 2020 Winner: Lieutenant Bridget Lummus
June's Star of Courage Award presented by Apache will be presented to Lieutenant Bridget Lummus. Lummus has served her community for the past 23 years. She goes above and beyond to make sure those in her community are safe and taken care of. Recently, she went out of her way to help a mother and her two children escape a domestic abuse situation as well as take care of their hotel bill when shelters were full. The Houston Texans and Apache would like to thank and congratulate Lieutenant Lummus for being this month's Star of Courage winner.
May 2020 Winner: Officer Jason Knox, Houston Police Department, Tactical Flight Officer and Officer Chase Cormier, Houston Senior Police Officer and Pilot
May's Star of Courage Award presented by Apache will be presented to late Houston Police Department Tactical Flight Officer Jason Knox and Houston Senior Police Officer and Pilot Chase Cormier. In early May, Officer Knox and Officer Cormier were in a tragic helicopter accident that Officer Knox did not survive and that left Officer Cormier badly injured. Officer Knox served for a combined 15 years and Officer Cormier has served for the past 21 years. Both men dedicated their lives to ensuring the safety of all Houstonians. The Houston Texans and Apache would like to honor Officer Knox posthumously and Officer Cormier with our May Star of Courage award and are sending our thoughts and prayers.
April 2020 Winner: Shane, Houston Fire Department
Shane has served with the Houston Fire Department as a Firefighter for the past two years. Throughout the past two years, he has been on the front lines working hard to save lives and serve the city of Houston. During this challenging time he has gone above and beyond by working overtime as an essential worker taking time away from his own young kids to help our community. Shane's courage to serve this community selflessly has set a great example for all.
March 2020 Winner: Glen Mayo, Cypress Fairbanks ISD Police Department
Glen Mayo has served with the Houston Police Department for 27 years and during his time has won numbers life-saving awards. During Hurricane Harvey, he spent weeks rescuing people with the HPD Dive Team, without taking a second to think about himself. Most recently he won a life-saving award for helping save a child from chocking at a restaurant in Cypress. Currently, he works as a K9- Officer for Cy Fair ISD with his K-9 Astra. He has truly dedicated his life to serving Houston and ensuring everyone's safety.
February 2020 Winner: Jay Rosenbalm, Woodlands Fire Department
Jay Rosenbalm has been in public service for most of his life. He is a two-time Iraq war veteran and spent over 12 years in the military. During his second deployment to Iraq, he became an EMT so he could continue to serve others as a firefighter/EMT after leaving the military. He is currently a firefighter/EMT for the Woodlands Fire Department. During his eight years at the WFD he has saved countless lives and has even brought back a handful of people back to life by performing CPR. He is a true beacon of courage and serves his country and community selflessly, whether it's running into a burning building or responding to other crises situations with the sole purpose of ensuring everyone's safety and wellbeing.
January 2020 Winner: Heather Shedd, Baytown Police Department
Cpl. Heather Shedd is a twenty-one year veteran of the Baytown Police Department. She works alongside her K9 Bloodhound Gypsy. After losing her husband, George Drude, who was also a 20 year veteran of the Baytown Police Department, she continued to serve. Despite her hardships, she has given our community more than she will ever know.
December 2019 Winner: David Elias Sr., Houston Fire Department
David Elias Sr. has served 18 years with the Houston Fire Department and 5 years with Texas Children's Hospital Kangaroo Crew. He always thinks of others before himself and does not hesitate to risk his life & health every day when he works at HFD and would donate anything he could to save the sick children he transports. He's does more than asked for and serves his community unselfishly. Serving and saving the lives of the people and children in the City of Houston is his daily reward.
November 2019 Winner: Demetrius Woodard, Houston Police Department
Officer Demetrius Woodard has always displayed a kind, respectful, and upbeat attitude. He is an exemplary employee and is adaptable in any given situation. In addition, he has a great rapport amongst his peers, superiors and equally with citizens that he comes in contact. He takes pride in his career and strives to be better on a daily in every aspect. Demetrius has offered food and water to homeless people numerous of times in downtown Houston and has helped many women and men off the streets and into shelters. Lastly, Officer Woodard is a positive influencer that is passionate about his career. He will do whatever it takes to protect the community or anyone in danger.
October 2019 Winner: Deputy Craig Darlow, Harris County Sheriff's Office
On January 22, 2018, Harris County Sheriff's Office Deputy Craig Darlow responded to a major accident involving two vehicles. Both were smoking as motor fluids were leaked onto the ground. Deputy Darlow saw an infant was upside down in her car seat with glass and blood covering her head. Darlow crawled into the vehicle, freeing her and another passenger from the vehicle. Darlow remained on site at the vehicle attending to other victims without regard for his own safety until the fire department arrived. Deputy Darlow exhibited great dedication to duty without personal regard for his own safety and saved the lives of two people.
2019 Winner: Police Officer Jasmine Selle, Houston Police Department
Officer Selle with the Westside Division Night Shift, spotted a suspect during her shift who had earlier avoided arrest. Just as she exited her vehicle he exited his with a revolver firing at her multiple times. Officer Selle was struck in the arm in the firefight. While injured, Officer Selle stood her ground, courageously staying in the battle, firing back at the suspect along with other responding officers hitting the suspect multiple times and protecting herself and other officers at the scene. Officer Selle was then transported to the hospital by fellow officers and upon arriving at the hospital, walked into the emergency room under her own power to be treated.