Standing before dozens of family members, friends and colleagues, Krista Beck seemed temporarily overwhelmed by the limelight.

“Oh my,” she said shakily to the audience Wednesday at the Exchange Club of Richmond Hill’s annual Public Safety Officers of the Year Award Banquet.

Beck quickly, however, regained the composure that has served her and many people over the years.

For her consistent hard work and efforts to go above and beyond the norm, Beck was recognized as the county 911 Dispatch Operator of the Year by the Exchange Club. She and several other top public safety employees received plaques from the Exchange Club, as well as praise from their supervisors and club president Tyler Randolph.

The residents of Bryan County and its municipalities are very fortunate to have so many fine public safety employees protecting them, Randolph said. He also thanked the families and supervisors of the employees for their support.

In addition to Beck, the award recipients are:
Chris Cuza, Bryan County Firefighter of the Year.
Patty Phillips, Bryan County Medic of the Year.
Capt. Michael Maxwell, Bryan County Deputy of the Year.
Ernest Chuck Alvater, Richmond Hill Volunteer Firefighter of the Year.
Robert L. Linton, Richmond Hill Police Department Officer of the Year.

For more, pick up a copy of the March 12 edition of the News.