Every February, the Hoover Chamber of Commerce recognizes public safety employees with the City of Hoover who go above and beyond their job descriptions to accomplish something outstanding. Police Officers, Dispatchers, Telecommunicators, and Fire Fighters are nominated by their supervisors or peers for consideration by the Chamber. This years winners and finalists are:
Communications Officer of the Year
Winner - Telecommunicator Kim Jones
Kim Jones is a Telecommunicator I on C (night) shift. She began in 1997. Kim's speed and proficiency with our dispatch software is an incredible asset to the Police and Fire Departments. When she is working the Police or Fire radio, she is skillful in giving officers and fire personnel time sensitive information that supports them as they perform their duties. Kim makes an extra effort to remember and recall past incidents that could assist first responders and her co-workers alike who are working current situations that may be related to those histories.
Detention Officer of the Year
Winner - Jameela Baylor
Jameela Baylor is one of 20 Detention Officers with the Hoover Police Department. She began her career with the Hoover Police Department in December 1998. She is currently a shift supervisor in the jail, having served previously as a Lieutenant with the Texas Department of Corrections in Dayton, Texas. Officer Baylor also served in the United States Army. Officer Baylor is a dedicated and dependable employee, who exhibits a very strong work ethic, and is considered by her supervisors as a good leader. She is also a full-time student; she is working on her Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice through the University of Phoenix.
Police Officer of the Year
Winner - Officer Dale Holsombeck
Officer Dale Holsombeck is has been with the Hoover Police Department since June 1998. He is currently assigned to the Traffic Division as a motorcycle officer. His other duties include the Special Response Tactical Team.
Officer Holsombeck, who served with the US Army in Iraq for a year, is a previous nominee for the Hoover Chamber of Commerce “Freedom Award”.
Officer Holsombeck, in October, 2007, while serving as a Special Response Team member at a rally for Hillary Clinton at the Wynfrey Hotel, observed an elderly female apparently choking. The woman was not breathing, was ashen in color and her lips were beginning to turn blue. Officer Holsombeck took control, swept the woman’s mouth for an obstruction and when he could not dislodge the object, performed the Heimlich maneuver which dislodged the object and restored her breathing. In the estimation of paramedics and doctors with the Secret Service, saved her life.
Officer Holsombeck is an officer who takes his daily performance from “consistently solid” to “exceptional”.
Finalist - Officer Ted Davis
Officer Ted Davis, who is a member of the Hoover Police Interstate Criminal Enforcement (ICE) Unit, and is assigned to the Highway Safety Task Force in Jefferson County, started with the Hoover Police Department in June 1998. He is currently assigned to the Interstate Criminal Enforcement Unit (ICE). Officer Davis is considered by his peers to be one of the best interdiction officers in the United States.
Officer Davis has initiated several notable seizures in 2007, including 1,805 pounds of marijuana valued at 1.8 million dollars, 206 pounds of marijuana valued at $206,000, and, with other officers, significant cases including the seizure of over 100 pounds of cocaine valued at $1.1 million dollars.
Officer Davis was recognized last week for the largest marijuana seizure of the year, 2007, by the National Criminal Enforcement Association at their Winter Conference in Greensboro, North Carolina.
These efforts by Officer Davis and the other members of his Unit brought the Hoover Police Department the “National Interdiction Team” title in 2006.
Officer Davis, and his dog, Nelson, are regularly seen across Jefferson County as they work in concert with officers from the Sheriff’s department.
Finalist - Officer Alex Gonzalez
Officer Alex Gonzalez, who is a member of the Hoover Police Interstate Criminal Enforcement (ICE) unit, and who is assigned to the Highway Safety Task Force in Jefferson County, started with the Hoover Police Department in July of 2003. He was born in Cuba, and spent his early years in Law Enforcement working for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. He is currently assigned to the Interstate Criminal Enforcement Unit (ICE). Officer Gonzalez is noted as being one of the Nation’s experts in the field of drug interdiction. He has assisted in training over 1,000 officers from around the country in the area of Drug Interdiction for the Federal Motor Carrier Administration.
Officer Gonzalez has initiated several notable seizures in 2007, including 1,610 pounds of marijuana valued at 1.6 million dollars, 78 pounds of cocaine valued at $780,000, and 22 pounds of cocaine valued at $220,000. His total seizures of vehicles and assets total over $2 million dollars. Officer Gonzalez won the “Robert E. Bishop” Award from the National Criminal Enforcement Association in 2006, which is given to the “Interdiction Officer of the Year”. He is also part of the team which was awarded the 2006 National Interdiction Team title. Officer Gonzalez, who is fluent in Spanish, has proved invaluable when working cases which involve the Latino community.
Firefighter of the Year
Winner - Fire Apparatus Operator Eddie Scott
Apparatus Operator Scott maintains all of the maps in Station Six’s territory, insuring their accuracy and completeness. A/O Scott drives the new areas in Station Six’s territory each morning on his way in to work to ensure that all new roads, houses, businesses and hydrants are up to date and accurate making it easier for all calls to be located quickly. He takes pride in creating accurate maps of the territory and provides great detail in his work. By ensuring that firefighters are able to locate calls quickly and efficiently, A/O Scott decreases the response times so that all businesses and citizens receive fast and accurate help in times of need. He spends countless hours off duty learning and understanding his job and maintaining accurate maps for the station.
Apparatus Operator Scott has served the City of Hoover for 19 years. His continued dedication to his fellow firefighters, supervisors and the citizens of Hoover is a great example for younger firefighters to follow. On a daily basis firefighter Scott’s work ethic also sets an enduring example for others to follow. He always completes assigned tasks with accuracy and efficiency. He is a member of Saint-Stanislas Catholic Church. Over the past two years A/O Scott’s mother’s health has declined. He now spends his off days caring for her and her property and ensuring she makes all of her health care appointments. He also does her grocery shopping and ensures that all of her bills are paid. A/O Scott is an excellent example of what a son should be.
Finalist - Firefighter/Paramedic Chaplain Joey Harbarger
Joey Harbarger is assigned to the busiest rescue unit in the city, if not Jefferson County. He maintains a courteous, but professional attitude while running calls all day and night. He is a very strong and capable firefighter that can be depended on to be there when the going gets tough. His dedication to the Hoover fire dept. and the personnel at Station 4 is second to none. Joey serves as one of only two Fire Chaplains in the Hoover fire dept. Our Fire Chaplain program was started three years ago with Joey being a founding Chaplain. Our Fire Chaplains serve anyone in need, fire department or not, anytime and anywhere. For his faithful and unselfish service to the city employees and citizens, Joey should be recognized and commended.
Since coming to the City of Hoover in September 2001, Joey has touched numerous lives with his calm demeanor, tremendous faith and supportive smile when other need it most. His work record is impeccable, always obtaining the highest marks for job performance and even higher marks for being a friend, brother, devotional leader and strong shoulder. Joey is an active member of Pleasant Hill Methodist Church. He and his wife, Monica, are very active with the youth program. He played football, basketball and ran track at McAdory High School and played football while attending the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He participates annually in the Mercedes Marathon, Brave in Blue relay team to raise money for Kid One. Joey is a member in good standing with the Hoover Firefighters Association , International Federation of Fire Chaplains, Professional Firefighters of Alabama and the International Association of Firefighters.
Finalist - Fire Medic Mark Thornton
Mark handles all maintenance and updates to vital Hazardous Materials equipment. He is instrumental in planning the ESU support drills and writing curriculum for Monthly Haz-Mat drills. He designed and taught the annual Haz-Hat refresher class for the entire Fire Department. This area of our response is vital to the welfare of businesses and citizens within the City of Hoover. Mark has repeatedly and voluntarily requested special assignments, without regard to his personal schedules. He has always made himself available to assist in building, promoting, and teaching anything he could get involved with including Haz-Mat related material. He has volunteered anytime specific drills and training opportunities such as Multi-Agency and EMA related drills have arisen.
Mark works diligently toward completing special projects in preparing for public events and beautification. He spends time every shift monitoring and helping perfect the technological aspects of Fire Station Two. These include the complete installation of the public classroom on the second floor, the installation, setup and maintenance of the new public access electronic bulletin board and CAD/Mapping system at Station Two, and assistance to the public utilizing these systems for items such as driving directions and Hoover news.Mark is presently an instructor in the EMT- Paramedic program for Jefferson State Community College based out of the City of Hoover on Valleydale Road. He has been instrumental in this region’s EMS training as well as the building of the EMT program at Jefferson State. He is an active CPR instructor and car seat technician, further demonstrating his commitment to our citizens.
Mark is active with the Temple Assembly of God in Clanton, Alabama. He is the head Dixie Youth Baseball coach for his child’s team in Clanton, Alabama. He is a past president of the Clanton Lions Club. Mark is also active as a volunteer lieutenant for the Clanton Fire Department. He is in charge of EMS for this volunteer organization.
