The Cobb Chamber honored county firefighters and police officers during its annual Public Safety Appreciation luncheon, which was held Monday, Oct. 7, at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta.

Former Cobb Police Officer Thomas Weldon won the Medal of Valor for confronting an armed robber inside a gas station in Sept. 2023. Entering the store alone to protect those inside, Weldon arrested the criminal without a firefight.

Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services Company 7, B shift, (pictured above) earned the Award of Merit for entering a burning home in July 2023 and rescuing three people who were inside. Despite the intensity of the fire and the fact the victims were all in different parts of the home, the crew was able to save everyone and extinguish the blaze.

Cobb Police Sgt. William Nerio won the Distinguished Achievement Award for improving department and Hispanic community relations. Nerio, who moved to the United States from El Salvador in his 20s, became the Hispanic liaison for the Community Affairs Unit and helped create a summit between the police chief and representatives from several Spanish-speaking countries.

The ceremony served as a kick-off for Public Safety Appreciation Week, which is celebrated throughout the county. The week, ending Oct. 11, offers community residents a formal chance to express thanks to public safety workers.

The chamber presented awards to select public safety workers from other departments and agencies in Cobb during the Monday event. The other awardees included:

Award of Merit

Marietta Police Officer Isaac Moore

Outstanding Community Contribution

Acworth Police Department Cpl. Eric Mistretta

Kennesaw State University Dept. of Public Safety and Police Director Tanya Smith

Medal of Valor

Kennesaw Police Officer David Hubbart

Smyrna Fire Department - Engine 3

Employee of the Year

Acworth Police Department - Confidential Officer (works undercover and therefore can’t be identified)

Click here for the complete list of nominees and their stories.