Citizens Energy Group served as the title sponsor of the 55th Annual Fire, Police & Deputy Sheriff’s Community Recognition Luncheon on April 13. Nearly 40 local public safety professionals were recognized for their dedication and service to central Indiana throughout 2022.
A true community event, more than 40 local businesses and organizations sponsored the awards ceremony. Citizens has served as host for the past 12 years, continuing the tradition that was established by the former Indianapolis Water Company in 1968.
Citizens President & CEO Jeffrey Harrison welcomed guests to the event. He was joined in recognizing the 2022 honorees by Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Randal Taylor, Indianapolis Fire Department Chief Ernest Malone, Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal, and members of the city-county council.
In addition to being the title sponsor of the event, Citizens sponsors the Firefighter of the Year Award. Paul Dicken, Director of Water Distribution, presented the award to IFD Private Adam Gaudin (above). In his eight years with the Indianapolis Fire Department, Private Gaudin has been no stranger to heroism. In 2019, he rescued a woman from the third floor of an apartment complex during an active fire, sustaining injuries but saving the woman’s life. For his heroism, he received the Medal of Valor from IFD, and Rescue Firefighter of the Year at the 2019 Fire, Police & Deputy Sheriff’s Community Recognition Luncheon.
This year, Private Gaudin was recognized as Firefighter of the Year after once again rescuing and rendering life-saving aid to an individual trapped in a structure fire.
Dicken shared, “Our partnership with IFD is very valuable. One of our top priorities is to make sure that all our hydrants are operable so IFD can do their job and provide public safety. We interact with the fire fighters daily, so for us to be involved with the selection process for the awards luncheon is truly an honor. It is very rewarding to hear the stories of their heroic efforts that happen on a daily basis to protect the community.”
Other noted honorees include Sergeant Ron Shelnutt, Police Officer of the Year (below, left), and four co-recipients of the Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year Award: Lieutenant Brian Hogue, Corporal Andres Escalante, Corporal Garrett Phillips, and Deputy Zachary Woods (below, right).
As the title sponsor of the luncheon, Citizens manages logistics, planning, script writing, and graphic design support. Special thanks to Jennifer Mentink, Wayne Stohs, Joel Bustamante, Adam Lowe, and Shannon Frederick for their work on the luncheon. We would also like to thank our employee volunteers who assisted throughout the event: Anne Payne, Kenya McMillin, Alex Haberfield, Crit Crabtree, Jada Buchanan, and Laura O’Brien.
