Local heroes in Hagerstown and Washington County have been named as recipients of the 9th Annual Public Safety Awards. First responders will be recognized at a breakfast awards ceremony hosted by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.
Deborah Cohill and Rich Miller will be recognized for their contributions to fire and police and community services over many years.
Chaplain Deborah Cohill of Hancock Volunteer Fire Company is receiving the Volunteer Achievement Award for obtaining an estimated $1,000,000 in grant money for Hancock Volunteer Fire Company, Martha’s House and Allegheny Fire Company. 
The Volunteer Achievement Award is presented for volunteer dedication and initiative above and beyond the call of duty over a period of time that has affected and benefited the citizens of Washington County and beyond.
Chief Richard Miller of Hancock Police Department is receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his 40+ years of service to Washington and Franklin Counties.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual who encompasses leadership and an exceptional work ethic. He or she has consistently performed above and beyond normal expectation throughout their career.
“During his career, Chief Miller has made outstanding contributions in all aspects
of public safety including Fire/EMS, emergency dispatch and law enforcement. He is known for his commitment to solving cases and has even earned the nickname ‘the bloodhound’ by his colleagues for never missing a detail. Chief Miller’s remarkable legacy of service, professionalism and character will linger for years to come,” said the award committee.
Award recipients for the county event include first responders and volunteers in fire, law enforcement, EMS, telecommunications, and support services.
“The Washington County Chamber of Commerce is proud and honored to recognize the brave efforts of our public safety and health care professionals,” says Chamber President and CEO Paul Frey. “Every day these professionals go above and beyond the call of duty to protect the lives of our citizens and the property of our homes and businesses. It is a pleasure to be able to publicly give them our sincere thanks and gratitude for all that they do on the behalf of others, often without public recognition.”
There are three levels of Medal of Valor Awards: gold, silver, and bronze.
This year’s recipients of the Gold Medal of Valor Award include Trooper First Class Zachary O’Neal of the Maryland State Police, honored for preventing a suicide attempt over oncoming traffic in April of 2024. As well as Sergeant Vance Almy, Master Deputies Jason Litten, Jasen Logsdon, Joseph McCoy, Philip Schnurr and Deputy Ashley Wilbraham of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for preventing a separate suicide attempt over oncoming traffic in May of 2024.
Deputy Aaron Garvin of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office is also receiving the Gold Medal of Valor for saving another Deputy from a suspect who was armed with a knife in November of 2024.
Officer Tim Cramer of Hagerstown Police Department is receiving the Silver Medal of Valor for his response to a stabbing in progress in October of 2024.
Officers Andrew Kelbaugh and Jacob Mull of Hagerstown Police Department are receiving the Silver Medal of Valor for the combat and capture of an armed adversary with an active arrest warrant in November of 2024.
Officer Scott Huff of Hagerstown Police Department is receiving the Bronze Medal of Valor for the arrest of an armed male in possession of 57 containers of suspected narcotics in May of 2024.
Fire Apparatus Operator Brian Snyder of Hagerstown Fire Department is receiving the Bronze Medal of Valor Award for successfully rescuing a woman from a two-story residential structure fire in November of 2024.
The Hero Award honors an individual or team whose actions attempted to save or succeeded in saving a human life.
Officer Bethani Basta of Hagerstown Police Department is receiving the Hero Award for her quick action to apply direct pressure using her own hands to a victim with multiple stab wounds in October of 2024.
Officer Langley Dean of Hagerstown Police Department is receiving the Hero Award for his life-saving action of using his torniquet on a juvenile assault victim who would have otherwise expired from blood loss in June of 2024.
Fire Apparatus Operator Jacob Altman and Firefighter Adam Semler of Hagerstown Fire Department and Lieutenant Scott Adams of Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company are receiving the Hero Award for their lifesaving response to a house fire entrapment in October of 2024.
Assistant Chief Sara Gismondi of Potomac Valley Volunteer Fire Company and Fire Apparatus Operator Jackie Moser of Washington County Division of Emergency Services, both crew members of Boat 20-11, are receiving the Hero Award for their actions and ability to adapt during a high-risk water rescue with a stranded victim in October of 2024.
Firefighters Matthew Munson, Bradley Taylor and Daniel Taylor of Maugansville Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company are receiving the Hero Award for quickly rescuing a female from a trailer fire entrapment in June of 2024.
Paramedics Travis Routzahn and Baileigh Phelps of Community Rescue Service are receiving the Hero Award for their life-saving response to a pediatric cardiac arrest in August of 2024
Other awards given to county first responders will include the Unit Achievement Award, the Telecommunications Award, the Distinguished Service Award, the Community Service Award and the Volunteer Achievement Award.
Washington County’s 9th Annual Public Safety Awards will be held at Community Volunteer Fire Co. of District 12’s Banquet Facility at 18002 Tilghmanton Road, Fairplay, Md. 21733, on Thursday, August 7 at 7 a.m. Registration details are available at Hagerstown.org on the Chamber Events Calendar.
For more information, contact Maddie Monica at 301-739-2015 ext.103 or email maddie @hagerstown.org.