The Cobb Chamber recently hosted its annual Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon, celebrating local heroes from various agencies, including police, fire, sheriff's office, campus police, and EMS, crowdsourced from within the heart of Cobb County. The event, which sets the stage for Public Safety Appreciation Week, saw accolades bestowed on those who have gone beyond the call of duty, as reported by Cobb County Government.
During the ceremony, the Public Safety Employee of the Year honor was awarded to Field Training Officer Stephen Abernathy from the Cobb County Police Department, marking a high point in the luncheon—his actions earlier this year include identifying a suspect vehicle following the placement of an improvised explosive device at a local bank and playing a pivotal role in a homicide investigation where his initiative was key in securing vital leads that ultimately led to an arrest.
A second distinguished honor, the Award of Valor, was given to Officer Rahim Somani for his exceptional bravery during a fiery crash on I-285, where he extracted a trapped and injured driver from a burning car, ensuring the victim's survival. The gripping account details Officer Somani's selfless courage as he pulled the victim to safety just moments before the car was fully engulfed in flames.
Tim Milligan, Cobb Chamber Public Safety Chairman & Chief of the Marietta Fire Department, alongside Lance LoRusso from LoRusso Law Firm, took the podium to voice their profound gratitude—they emphasized the strength found in unity and the ongoing need to support these individuals not just during appreciation week, but year-round their speeches were a testament to the collective admiration for the valiant efforts and daily commitment of public safety professionals, as detailed by the Cobb County Government.
