As part of the 29^th annual Public Safety Appreciation Week (Oct. 7-11), the Cobb Chamber will honor Cobb County’s finest during a special recognition program at the Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon event held at the Coca-Cola Roxy on October 7. The luncheon will kick off a weeklong effort to celebrate public safety personnel in Cobb County.

Preparations for such an event begins months in advance with the nomination process for the Public Safety Employee of the Year Award, in addition to other awards such as the Medal of Valor, Award of Merit, Distinguished Achievement Award and Outstanding Community Contribution Award. Public Safety agencies are given the opportunity to nominate public safety personnel for these honors. The 2024 Public Safety Committee Chairwoman is Melissa Alterio, Director of the Cobb County Department of Emergency Communications.

The Cobb Chamber would like to congratulate the following personnel and public safety units on their nomination for a public safety recognition award:

Individuals

Corporal Eric Mistretta
Acworth Police Department

Confidential Officer
Acworth Police Department

Operations Supervisor Desmond Harris
Cobb County E911

Detective Joshua Allen
Cobb County Police Department

Officer Daniel Castaneda
Cobb County Police Department

Officer Tierssa Grostic
Cobb County Police Department

Sergeant William Nerio
Cobb County Police Department

Officer Thomas Weldon
Cobb County Police Department

Officer David Hubbartt
Kennesaw Police Department

Officer Zachary Sherer
Kennesaw State University DPS & University Police Department

Director Tanya Smith
Kennesaw State University DPS & University Police Department

Officer Yvette Collazo
Marietta Police Department

Officer Isaac Moore
Marietta Police Department

Paramedic FTO Jessica Ginsberg
MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service

Engineer Jacob Moore
Smyrna Fire Department

Public Safety Units

Training and Quality Assurance Unit
Cobb 911

Company 7 B Shift
Cobb County Fire Department

Squad 7
Cobb County Fire Department

Company 55 – April 6th Event
Marietta Fire Department

Company 55 – May 2nd Event
Marietta Fire Department

Crime Suppression Unit
Powder Springs Police Department

Officer DeJuante Miller and Officer Andre Morrison
Powder Springs Police Department

Unit 327
Puckett EMS

Engine 3
Smyrna Fire Department

Lieutenant Rudolph Stephens and Sergeant Marquese Hudson
Smyrna Police Department

Award recipients will be announced and celebrated at the October 7 Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre. Sponsors include Marquee Sponsor, Superior Plumbing and Superior Cooling & Heating; Platinum Sponsors, Cobb EMC and MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service; Awards Sponsor LoRusso Law Firm; Gold Sponsors Barrow Wrecker Services, Genuine Parts, and Marietta Wrecker; and Appreciation Week Sponsor Verizon.

For more information on Public Safety Appreciation Week, visit www.cobbchamber.org/publicsafety or contact Katie Guice at 770-859-2334 or [email protected].