The Rotary Club of Canton held its 4th annual Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon at the Bluffs Conference Center last month. The theme of the event was Honoring Our Heroes.

Sergeant Nathan Ernst, Holly Springs Police Department, was awarded the Public Safety Medal of Valor due to the tremendous bravery he demonstrated during a call earlier this year.

Three officers received the Colonel George Bailey Distinguished Leadership Award: Deputy Courey Carter, Cherokee Sheriffs Office; Matthew Dunn, Woodstock Police Department; and Deputy Chief Tommy Keheley, Holly Springs Police Department.

Public Safety Employee of the Year awards were presented to Mike Adams, Holly Springs Police Department; Dale Belvin, Cherokee County E 9-1-1; Shane Bonebrake, Woodstock Police Department; Sergeant Chris Bryant, Cherokee Sheriffs Office; Corporal Cody Jones, Cherokee Sheriffs Office; Chief Mark Kissel, Cherokee County School Police Department; Animal Control Officer Viola Lynne Laux, Cherokee Marshals Office; Monica Moore, Cherokee County District Attorneys Office; Cameron Smith, Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services; Jenna Stoner, Cherokee County E 9-11; Michael Sweat, Canton Police Department; and Mike Thomas, Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services.

During the event, the Rotary Club also awarded the Public Safety Business Partner of the Year to Malek Eljiche, Tuscany Restaurant, and Chuck Cox, Chucks Auto Repair.

Keynote speaker was Vic Reynolds, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.